Obama is Welcome in Indonesia, Say Leading Muslim Groups

Jakarta Globe & Agencies, March 16, 2010

The country's top two Islamic groups have urged Indonesian Muslims to welcome Obama. (AFP Photo)

US President Barack Obama must be welcomed as a guest during his much-anticipated state visit next week , say moderate Indonesian Islamic groups, including Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.

“The Prophet himself also had diplomatic ties with adherents of other faiths,” said NU chief Hasyim Muzadi on Monday. He said Obama had shown good intentions in efforts to improve ties between the US and Islamic world.

But conservative Islamic organization Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia said on Tuesday that it rejected Obama’s visit, claiming it was aimed only at boosting America’s economic interests here.

HTI spokesman Muhamad Ismail Yusanto said the US enjoys Indonesia’s abundant natural resources, with many US oil and mining companies operating here. The fact that Obama lived here as a child did not warrant special treatment, he added.

On day two of his March 23-25 visit, Obama will deliver a rallying call to the Muslim world, his first since a historic speech in Cairo last year. “He’ll be able to speak to some of the progress that’s been made and that needs to be made on the issues that he spoke to in Cairo,” said Ben Rhodes, Obama’s deputy national security adviser for strategic communications.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Teuku Faizasyah confirmed that Indonesia and the US would also sign a comprehensive partnership agreement during the visit. The accord, covering education, cultural exchanges, security ties, trade and investment, will be evaluated in a more structured way with “perspicuous aims and a time frame” through a ministerial forum, Teuku said. “Previously, programs were conducted based on priority in each sector.”

Obama’s visit was delayed by three days, and the White House has confirmed that he will not visit the schools he attended in Jakarta, or the houses he lived in.

Obama is the first US president in at least a decade to visit Southeast Asia for anything other than a regional summit, a move said to reflect an effort to strengthen ties with emerging nations.

Key parts of next week’s visit:

Tuesday Arrival in Jakarta. Press conference with President Yudhoyono, then a state dinner.

Wednesday Speech intended to build on his address in Cairo last year. Meetings with local business leaders.

Thursday To Bali. Presentation from civil society groups on democracy in Indonesia. Departure to Canberra. 

AFP