RIYADH, KOMPAS – A partnership between Muslim countries and the United States will become crucially important for countering the threat of terrorism in the world. Without it, it is difficult to fight the terrorism that has claimed many victims in many countries.
The need to build a strategic partnership was unveiled by most of the world’s leaders present at the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
This issue surfaced after Saudi Arabia\'s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud officially opened the summit at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. All of the world leaders gave their views and ideas on the fight against terrorism.
US President Donald Trump said that the Arab Islamic American Summit was an important milestone in the fight against terrorism. "I want to build a new partnership for a better future of the world. The partnership can be built on the principle of mutual trust between us," Trump said in front of the summit participants on Sunday evening local time, as reported by Kompas journalist Andy Riza Hidayat.
The world leaders who were present at the summit also saw the urgent need to promote cooperation and openness to face terrorism around the world. Saudi Arabia invited more than 50 leaders of Islamic countries or Muslim countries to exchange ideas on the fight.
During a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, in addition to attending the Arab Islamic American Summit, Trump also attended a Saudi Arabia-US Summit and a Gulf-US Summit.
Indonesian ideas
In his speech, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that a partnership against terrorism and radicalism should be realized. The unity of Muslim countries is of paramount importance for countering terrorism.
"Interfaith unity is the key to building partnerships. Therefore, it is important to build understanding within Islam first," President Jokowi said.
According to the President, a wrong understanding can only be cured with right thinking. Indonesia believes it is important to balance the legal approach and the persuasive approach (a soft power approach). The persuasive approach is a priority in dealing with problems related to religions and cultures.
Therefore, the President continued, Indonesia involved former terrorists and Islamic social organizations, such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama. "Violent acts will create more violence," the President said.
Amid the ongoing problems, the President said he could see a potential approach that can be used, such as promoting an inclusive economy. In this way, more people will have an opportunity to improve their economic well-being.
President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana arrived in the city of Riyadh on Saturday, at 8:30 p.m. local time. The President attended the summit, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister AM Fachir, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto and the head of the National Agency for Counter-Terrorism (BNPT), Suhardi Alius.
Suhardi said the global partnership should become the backbone for combating terrorism. Indonesia has cooperated in a deradicalization program, especially with Saudi Arabia, which was signed in Bogor on March 1.
Although there is cooperation, the roots of terrorism in the two countries are different. "Despite this global threat, every country has a different background," said Suhardi.
Indonesia expects the role of Saudi Arabia to reduce radical understanding. The BNPT has charted radical patrons in the country who are believed to have connections with networks in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian side, said Suhardi, is ready to bring in expertise to reduce radical understanding in Indonesia.
In line with Suhardi, AM Fachir said, this meeting provided momentum to raise cooperation among countries. Such cooperation should be based on the principle of a balance between a legal approach and a persuasive approach. The issue of a war on terrorism is the theme of the conference in Riyadh.
For Trump, his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia was his first state tour after being sworn in as US president in January. Trump\'s visit to Saudi Arabia also served as an effort to improve relations with the Muslim world following his anti-Islamic rhetoric during the election campaign last year.