Prof. Juan Cole pointed Indonesia's democracy as one of top 10 good news stories of muslim world in 2008.
He said: "Indonesia's transition to democracy that began in 1998 has been 'consolidated' and it has regained its economic health, paying back $43 billion in loans to the International Monetary Fund. Indonesia is the world fourth most populous country and the world's largest Muslim country, comprising something like 16 percent or more of all Muslims. It faces many challenges, as do all young democracies, but when 245 million Muslims have kept democracy going for 10 years, the thesis that Islam is somehow incompatible with democracy is clearly fallacious.".
Yes, Indonesia has been proving during these 10 years the compatibility of Islam with democracy. Indonesian diplomacy either in term of state or people has brought the bright model of muslim world that can uphold mutual and beneficial dialogue between cultures, religions and civilizations. There will be still long road to go, but this is good start to play more important role in international affairs. At least, Indonesia can take leading initiative in spreading democracy to the muslim world. And I think strong democracies in the world should support such efforts.
1 comment:
This is a good news to our country.
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