REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia was potentially to be an ambassador for Islam in the future, an Indonesianist from Centre for Islam and the Modern World (CIMOW) in Monash University, Professor Greg Barton, noted in an interfaith dialogue held by Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As quoted by Antara News Agency on Monday (9/1), the main reason was Indonesia has successfully and peacefully moved towards democracy without military intervention.

Islam’s contribution to Indonesian democracy was surprisingly more significant than previously thought. During 2011, he said, Indonesia provided a good example to revolutionary movement in the Middle East and North Africa, popularly known as Arab Spring.  

“This may not be perfect yet, but Indonesia moved peacefully towards democracy without military intervention in a smooth manner and achieved it in a shorter period than previously expected,” Barton added.    

In the past, Barton admitted, Islam’s contribution had a lion share in the development of science and technology, including in astrology and medical science. Yet, recently the image of Islam in modern world especially in the West world was also tainted by some other factors. 

“Nevertheless, we still witness prejudice towards Islam in the West, especially related to terrorism,” Barton said.

Barton had close ties with some senior Islamic figures in Indonesia, including the late former president, Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. He was the author of a biography of Gus Dur, titled Abdurrahman Wahid, Muslim Democrat, Indonesian Democrat. Indonesian President: a view from the inside.

In separate occasion, Indonesian Ambassador for Cambodia, Soehardjono Sastromihardjo, half jokingly said, Barton was “hijacked” by the embassy to share his knowledge to Indonesian community in Cambodia, particularly in Phnom Penh.  

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