Webinar: Exploring Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah’s Engagement with China

Date and Time: May 27, 2024 from 4:00 pm HST

This seminar seeks to diverge from the prevalent discourse on China’s religious diplomacy by delving into the motivations behind the active involvement of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s foremost Islamic organizations, in engagements with China. It proposes that both NU and Muhammadiyah view interactions with Chinese entities as strategic endeavors to advance their respective religious ideologies. However, their approaches exhibit distinct nuances. NU incorporates Chinese elements into its religious doctrine, known as Islam Nusantara, to present an alternative narrative of Islam’s historical dissemination in Indonesia. Conversely, Muhammadiyah focuses on contemporary interactions with China to glean developmental insights, aligning with its vision of Progressive Islam and its aspiration to foster an enlightened Muslim society. Against this backdrop, it is evident that NU and Muhammadiyah harbour distinct perceptions of, imaginations about, and interactions with China. By exploring these differences, this seminar aims to deepen understanding of the multifaceted dynamics at play within the Islamic landscape of Indonesia and its engagement with China.

Register Online:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N7bJFs6pRT2DUObhQfDW_A#/registration