By: Alfisyah Dianasari )*
President Jokowi is ranked 13th in the list of the most influential Muslim figures in the world. Appreciation for his figure is given by the international community, and shows that Mr. Jokowi has an important position in the world. The Indonesian people are very proud because they have a very capable and influential president.
Indonesia is united as a developing country but does not make this country’s position small, in the eyes of the international community. The proof is that President Jokowi is highly respected abroad. In fact, he was again included in the list of the most influential Muslim figures in the world at number 13. The party who gave this appreciation was The Muslim 500.
The Muslim 500 is a survey that regularly releases who is the most influential Muslim figure in the world every year. The survey was created by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center, which is affiliated with the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thoughts based in Amman, Jordan.
With President Jokowi’s entry into the list of influential Muslim figures in the world, it shows his capability as a leader. The reason is because last year he was also included in this list, and it means that he is viewed positively by the international community.
President Jokowi has shown that he has performed well, not only at the national level but also at the international level. It could be that The Muslim 500 put him on the list of influential Muslims in the world because he was against the bloody events that took place in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. In addition, he tried to reconcile conflicts in Eastern Europe, and became a peacemaker.
The award from The Muslim 500 is very positive and valid. Moreover, The Muslim 500 is an award that has existed since 2009. It is clear that this award is not a hoax.
Many world figures are also included in The Muslim 500, including Recep Tayyib Erdogan, the leader of Turkey. Also there is King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the leader in Saudi Arabia. This shows that President Jokowi is considered on a par with world leaders.
Rumadi Ahmad, the Main Expert from the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) stated that the inclusion of President Jokowi in the list of The Muslim 500 is proof that the progress and pioneering work of Indonesian Muslims are recognized by the world. President Jokowi is seen as an Islamic leader whose role is quite influential in the image of Indonesian Muslims. He succeeded in bringing Indonesia as a moderate Muslim majority country.
President Jokowi was given a very good appreciation and gave a positive image of Indonesia as a moderate and pluralist country. This is commendable because indeed he teaches religious moderation and is not extreme (right or left). By using a moderate system, people are protected to worship and are not forced to do it excessively.
Indonesia is a moderate and pluralist country and its people respect each other. During the administration of President Jokowi, he ignited the spirit of pluralism, which began in the era of former President Abdurrahman Wahid (the late Gus Dur). Indonesia has succeeded in growing into a democratic country and its people uphold tolerance.
With pluralism and tolerance, Indonesia has succeeded in becoming a friendly country for everyone. Tolerance is the key to peace in this country, and peace unites the Indonesian people, who are made up of many ethnic groups. President Jokowi has succeeded in embracing people of all ethnicities and beliefs.
This award from The Muslim 500 is very good because it increases the trust of the international community, especially foreign investors. They believe that Indonesia is safe as a place to invest, because its president is internationally recognized. This means that Indonesia is praised by many countries and is a fun place.
Foreign investors, especially from countries in the Middle East, are also increasingly confident to invest in Indonesia. They want to enter this country because President Jokowi is included in the list of The Muslim 500, along with King Salman, whom they highly respect. President Jokowi’s position is equal to that of the King and is equally respected.
In addition, western countries are also confident to invest in Indonesia because President Jokowi is considered successful in leading a moderate and pluralist country. They will feel safe because even though they have different beliefs, they will still be protected by the government. Indonesia respects its citizens and foreign nationals, even though their beliefs are not the same, because of the principle of pluralism.
If many investors enter Indonesia, it will be very good, because investment funds can be rotated and used to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in this country. A positive domino effect will be formed, where the award received by President Jokowi will increase international confidence, investors will enter, and finally Indonesia will be free from the threat of a global recession due to the fierce pandemic.
