The Australia-Indonesia
Muslim Exchange Program
2009

Appreciation for the 2009 Muslim Exchange Program between Australia and Indonesia was highlighted at a function at the home of the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Bill Farmer, in late May. Together with his wife Elaine, Mr Farmer congratulated the five Australian participants on their visit to Indonesia which was drawing to an end. They welcomed alumni of the program from past years including KGI friend Tubagus Erif Faturrahman who went to Australia in October 2004 with the Muslim Exchange Program.

Read about some of the questions that 8 participants in the Muslim Exchange Program gave to Kang Guru before they went overseas AND then check if those questions were answered during their visits.

from left: Hussam Elmaghraby, Iman Dandan (front), Shameema Kolia, Sanchi Davis (Cultural Attache), Mr. Bill Farmer (Australian Ambassador), Mohammed El-Leissy and Hyder Gulam

Check in early 2010 for application details for the 2010 Muslim Exchange Program from the Australia indonesia Institute (2009)

The final group of 2009 participants will travel to Australia between the 7th and 21st of June. They are -
Cucu Surahman (UIN Jakarta)
M Hasan Basri (CFSS Yogyakarta)
M Subhan Setowara (Muhammadiyah Uni. Kupang)

Read about other Muslim Exchange Alumni from KGI
Tubagus Erif Faturrahman - alumni 2004
Deni Wahyudi Kurniawan - alumni 2007
Nazeem Hussain - alumni 2007

Shameema Kolia is from Perth. She is the President of the Muslim Youth Organization in Perth and is involved in a Muslim Womens’ Support center in Perth. It is her first time to Indonesia and  Shameema is keen to meet the people of Indonesia. She feels that this is the way to really get to know a country, the heart of the nation, and how it operates. Working with students from different backgrounds and with different interests and comparing them to students in Australia is a real interest of hers. (Shameema's Bio)

One of the things she really wants to do is to meet young people and find out what motivates them and interests them. It is important for Shameema  to look at the issues faced by young people here in Indonesia and in Australia and compare them to see if they are young people’s issues or young Muslims’ issues. To do this it is important to meet people form all walks of life and by joining the Muslim Exchange Program, she feels this is going to be possible.

Did Shameema find out the answers to her questions while she traveled around Indonesia May 18 - 28?

On May 28th, Shameema spoke once again to KGI in Jakarta -

Shamema visited many classrooms and pesantrens and spoke with many young people. Shameema found out that young people in Indonesia are motivated and excited by the same sorts of things that young Australians are whether they are Muslim or not – sport, asking questions, learning new things, etc. One of the most frequently asked questions was about wearing the hijab – is it worn in Australia, isn’t it banned, why are you wearing one, etc? Quite a few were surprised when they learnt the visiting Australians were actually born Muslim. Shameema feels that these issues indicate that perhaps Indonesian Muslim young people have a narrow perception of what an Australian Muslim is. When her Australian female students in Perth ask Shameema about their counterparts in Indonesia, she is going to tell them that their Indonesian counterparts are much better behaved and more respectful. Shameema also says that young Indonesians, and in particular young Muslim girls are definitely not shy and passive as so many people (in Australia and here in Indonesia) think they are. For Shameema, coming to Indonesia with the Muslim Exchange Program has been a revelation – fantastic!
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Hyder has many Indonesian friends in Australia and has met and chatted with previous Muslim Exchange participants both Australian and Indonesian. These friends and colleagues have all been fascinated by the way Islam is practiced in Australia. It is open and inclusive. Hyder has a real interest in finding out how the two Muslim organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, maintain grass roots membership and support and provide value added services at the same time. From the view of the Islamic Council of Victoria, it is important to share this expertise and knowledge.

Did Hyder find out the answers to his questions while he traveled around Indonesia May 18 - 28?

On May 28th, Hyder spoke once again to KGI in Jakarta -

Hyder was very impressed by the way that these two Muslim organizations work in their communities – social work, civil society and human rights included. In the case of NU, the work extends to disaster services and in particular Hyder mentioned a young woman called Laili. KGI actually interviewed Laili, also a 2009 Muslim Exchange participant, a few weeks ago at her NU office and she explained in detail the work that she does with her team across Java. Educating communities that natural disasters maybe cannot be stopped bu the effects of them can be tackled and in many cases avoided – for example, landslides do not always have to occur in nature or for that matter dams bursting as well. In general Hyder found both of these Muslim organizations to be very open-minded social organizations. He found them not be dogmatic and quite open to discussion and change.

As for the way that Islam is practiced here, Hyder feels that it is at the forefront in many ways in terms of intellectual pursuits. Schools do teach Arabic and Indonesian and English but they also teach the sciences too including biology. Mechanics is taught too and this is an example of how Islam in Indonesia is working together for the future of Indonesia and the religion itself. Hyder told KGI that he believes that language is the one thing holding which can truly expose Indonesian ideas on Islamic thoughts on subjects such as human rights, tolerance and democracy to the rest of the world. Along with Muhammad and Shameema, Hyder sees Indonesia at the forefront of Islamic though and discussion and with English translations for example, these thoughts can (and should) be shared with the rest of the world. Islam in Indonesia fits in very well with the culture and the two have grown together. Students were amazed when Hyder told them that Muslims in Australia all get on very well even though they are from all corners of the globe. Indonesia's tolerant and gentle way will win out and help Indonesia to develop and grow through education, democracy, economic growth and by decreasing poverty levels.

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A major challenge in Australia right now for Islam is the new wave of migration. Many migrants are from Muslim countries and they all need to find a way to take the Islam from their country and make it fit into their home.  Mohammad believes that he can learn a lot from the way people relate to their religion in Indonesia especially because Islam in Indonesia is not repressive and is free. He is keen to see how Islam in Indonesia is adapting to the modern world and he feels Australia can learn a lot from how this is being done. Mohammad believes Indonesia is coping much better than other countries in this transition to modernity. (Mohammad's Bio)

Did Mohammad find out the answers to his questions while he traveled around Indonesia May 18 - 28?

On May 28th, Mohammad spoke once again to KGI in Jakarta -

Mohammad has had an amazing experience and has found that Islam in Indonesia is definitely not repressive. He feels that the willingness of people to embrace new ideas and to discuss a whole range of ideas including the current discussions centered around Facebook. In fact discussion is being actively encouraged. The perception that Islam in Indonesia is repressive has been truly busted in his view. After visiting educational institutions from universities to remote pesantrens, he sees Islam in Indonesia as leading the world. The teaching of social sciences for example alongside the more traditional Islamic subjects is proof of this. A simpler example is the marching band that greeted Mohammad and his fellow participants at a small pseantren demonstrated clearly that education in Indonesian Islamic institutions is not repressive, passivew or narrow. The students were full of life - inquisitive and responsive. Mohammad will never forget however that these students were quite shocked when the found out that there were actually Muslims in Australia and that they were actually talking to five of them in their own school.

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Did Iman find out the answers to her questions while she traveled around Indonesia May 18 - 28?

On May 28th, Iman spoke once again to KGI in Jakarta -

Iman was completely amazed by the mosques that she saw here in Indonesia. In Surabaya Iman was fascinated by the largest mosque in that city, Masjid Al-Akbar, plus a Chinese mosque, Masjid Cheng Ho, that she visited.

At the Masjid Al-Akbar mosque Iman was interested in the geometric, mathematical patterns of blue and green tiles used in the main dome and on the three adjacent domes (concaved) and that this huge structure was sitting in the middle of a suburban area and with a church close by. And yet one of the most unexpected and surprising things she saw was the use of a huge drum used as the call to prayer at the Masjid Al-Akbar. Iman certainly had never seen a drum used in this way in Australia. The Chinese mosque, colorful with traditional reds, greens, yellows and blues, was significant for Iman as it clearly shows the mixture of cultures within Islam in Indonesia.

KGI asked Iman about mosques in Australia. In her response Iman said that mosques in Australia are fairly traditional as they have been basically been built by Muslims from other countries and so they strongly reflect the mosques of Turkey and Egypt for example. While traveling around Indonesia Iman really enjoyed the fact that mosques in Indonesia are quite varied and one of the features she absolutely loved was the openness of the structures – no walls for example. They are open and enjoy the sunshine and the light in a very cool and breezy way.

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Hussam Elmaghraby, a policeman in Australia, was not available for the fist interview with Kang Guru but he was present at the Ambassador’s Residence on the 28th of May and had these things to say about his visit to Indonesia.

One of the reasons Hassam joined the Muslim Exchange program was to see for himself the perception that Indonesians have about the practice of Islam in Australia and the relationship with law enforcement. In fact when he told young Indonesians that he was a policeman there often came a gasp from the audience. They couldn’t quite believe that.

One of the most common questions asked as the group traveled around Indonesia was this – how can a minority group of people in Australia practice Islam. Indonesian university students who have studied in Australia often upon return to Indonesia and talk about how great Islam is in Australia and in particular the relationship between law enforcement and government.

KGI asked Hassam if anything surprised him while in Indonesia? Although not a surprise, Hassam commented that he was really interested to see the young, vibrant and energetic students he met in madrasah and pesantrens across the county. He believes that it is students like these that will break down the stereotypes that are often associated with Muslims in Indonesia. Teachers too, just like many of their students, wondered whether there were actually many Muslims in Australia. And of course there are.

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Indonesian Muslim Exchange Participants 2009

Ms Iman Dandan (27, Sydney)

Volunteer, Bayt al-Zakat (local and international Muslim charity)
Member of Ryde City Council Community Harmony Reference Committee – Advisory and Project Planning
Former President, Sydney University Muslim Students’ Association
Member of Australian Muslim Students Association (MSA) National Advisory Board
Former Office Manager, Lebanese Muslim Association, Sydney
Formerly Community Settlement Services Officer, United Muslim Women’s Association, Sydney
Currently studying bachelors’ degrees in Arts (Religious Studies and Sociology) and Social Work, at Sydney University

Interested in Muslim diversity in the Asia-Pacific, and how Australian Muslim charities could develop relationships with existing charities in the region. Would like to meet a variety of people from universities and government, interested in charity organisations and post-tsunami rebuilding.

Samsul Ma'arif Mujiharto - Yogyakarta

How does the Australian government manage the very wide diversity of religions, cultures and languages in Australia? He is interested in how minority groups handle their situation in Australia society especially because he is a member of a majority group here in Indonesia –Javanese and Muslim.

I saw the Australian government has been tried to manage multicultural society very well. They have a systematic umbrella concerning specifically on how to prepare every migrant to deal with Australian society. I could see this atmosphere soon after my meeting with some minority groups [Muslim groups].

Meeting with them I am impressed that they can live in harmony with the major group. In this case, Indonesian government should learn from the neighbor. I also found, however, some indigenous people [as the minority] still did not sufficient with the government services regarding to the war after British arrival to Australia. I am sure, under a great policy on maintaining multiculturalism, Australia will be a mirror for other countries whose similar conditions.

I am very happy because I am really know your country (Australia) is a multicultural country in the world. I find there very good relationships between other cultures, ethnics, religion and other backrounds. Some time, I find my life like in Middle East because my friend come from Arab and I get Arab's food in my dinner or in lunch. Some time Ifind my life like in Thailand or other Asian country because I meet with them, or in Africa because I speak with them. I am very very happy Kevin with my experience.

My best experience was when I visit Bremer Chatolic Collage or King Khlalid School in Melbourne. How the school can build the understanding between other religions to their student. They make many-many activities, example sport together (foot ball, tennis, etc), study tour to other school (visiting). in my mind, this is the best method to build multicultural in society. I hope, we can do this experience in Indonesia, especially in Lombok. We have many Islamic boarding schools in Lombok andwe try to promote this method. For future, we try to visit other example Islamic school do visit to Hindu's or Christian school. We start from elementry school, and we get good relationship in future.

I am also hope to Australian goverment and citizen to promote Indonesian Islamic culture, because I know that media have asserted that Indonesia (Southeast Asian Islam) is undergoing significant change. Increasingly, Islam in the region is regarded as experiencing a rapid process of radicalization-worse still, the Muslim in Indonesia is now percieved by some as a potential "hotbed of terrorism" or Islam in Indonesia was identified with Abu bakar Ba'asyir. This is not true because my self and all friend come to Australia and bring the truly Islam Indonesia. For this reason I am coming, and this is good opportunity to know them about Islam and how we build and our goverment multiculturlal between majority and minority in Indonesia.
Thank you - Lalu Ahmad Zaenuri form Lombok (email sent to KGI May 25th)

Laili Nur Faridatus Sholihah - Nahdlatul Ulama in Jakarta

Laili is originally from Jember but has worked in Jakarta for 10 years. Laili is also a part time lecturer and teacher trainer. Her work with Nahdlatul Ulama is pesatren-based with 9 pilot projects underway in places such as Jember, Cilicap, Tuban and Pacitan.

Her main task is to educate people in those pesantrens about natural disasters. Many NU community-members and their leaders think that disasters are given by God. However Laili and her team try to show these communities that not all disasters come from God and that there is a lot people can do to stop such so called natural disasters. Flood, fire and more recently dams bursting can actually be prevented. Being aware of their environment is important – risk management is needed. People can also be educated as to what to do after such a disaster happens so as to reduce the losses. Changing peoples’ beliefs is not an easy task but special methodology is available to assist with this huge task.

Laili has just returned from Australia as a participant of the 2009 Muslim Exchange Program. KGI asked Laili what is so special about the program and her response was that the exchange allows people to meet a wide variety of people. Laili met with Muslims in Australia along with members of the Jewish, Christian and Catholic faiths.

Laili knew Australia was a multi-cultural country before she went but was absolutely amazed by the high level of that diversity – 200 different countries – and by the fact that there are so many Muslims in Australia who actively contribute to the development of the country.

Laili Nur Faridatus Sholihah is the Project Officer for the Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (indo translation) program at Nahdlatul Ulama in Jakarta.

".... they are very good. Frankly speaking we are very surprised about their lives, about multicultural Australia. There was bad news in Indonesia that Moslem people in Australia are discriminated against by the government, by the people in Australia".

Bagus soon found out that this was not correct. Bagus spent a lot of time talking with Aussies including Australian Muslims. Many of the Muslims he met were Indonesians.They talked about religious life in Indonesia and then compared Muslim life in Indonesia and Australia. They told him that wearing traditional dress such as a jilbab is not a problem for the women. Halal food is freely available in most areas. Universities have mosques and prayer areas. The truth, according to Bagus, is that Australian life is very good and Muslims in Australia are fully accepted. Bagus and his three colleagues met with many student groups in Australian universities. The students asked many questions. Australian students wanted to know what Indonesian people thought about Australia. Bagus responded honestly and said that one third of Indonesian people have some stereotyped ideas about Australia because they don't really know much about how Australians live. Often they just know the negative news that they read in newspapers or see on television. Bagus says that is the same for Australians too. Some Australians don't know the full story about Indonesia because they often do not get the correct or full story.

Do you enjoy meeting people from other places? Perhaps talking about your community and your life — comparing and learning, right? People meeting with people from other countries and exchanging views and information is so important too. Deni Wahyudi Kurniawan, from Garut, has been a Kang Guru-ite for many years. He was lucky enough to visit Australia in 2007 with the Muslim Exchange Program. He is currently Secretary General of Muhammadiyah Junior Youth Association. He studies at Syarif Hidayatullah University in Jakarta.

Building strong people to people links is an important goal of the Muslim Exchange program and by meeting local Aussie Muslims Deni learnt many interesting things. Kang Guru asked Deni about the most common question he has been asked since returning. He is often asked this question, ‘What rights do Australian Muslims have compared to other religions’? His answer? It doesn’t matter what people's religious beliefs are, they have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else and these are strongly upheld by the government. One other of Deni's observations was the plurality of the Australian Muslim community with people from Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Nazeem Hussain is young, an Aussie, and one of the five members of the 2007 Muslim Exchange Program who visited Indonesia in 2007. He is a very busy man back home in Oz. In Australia he is -

• a full time student studying a double degree in Law and Science
• a Director for the Islamic Council of Victoria
• the President of the Islamic Society at his university, and
• a presenter on Salam Café, a weekly television comedy program.

Why did Nazeem join the 2007 Muslim Exchange Program? Nazeem told KGI it was simple: he got to travel to Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world.

And what did he see in Indonesia that amazed him?

While in Indonesia , Nazeem and his co-participants visited Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Sukabumi. In Sukabumi they witnessed the opening of a new pesantren school constructed with assistance from AusAID's Basic Education Program. He says it was the nicest thing he has ever done. The young SMP students were so excited and fantastic. They thought the visiting Aussies were superstars. Nazeem said, ‘The students knew that some Aussies were coming to visit their school and probably expected us to be white but they were doubly surprised to see our dark skin AND that we were Muslim too’. Big surprise!