Pancasila As A Unifying Force: MPR And World Muslim League Dialogue For Global Peace

Jakarta — The unifying power of Indonesia's state philosophy, Pancasila, took center stage at a strategic dialogue between the nation's top legislative body and a leading global Islamic organization. The December 2025 meeting between the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the World Muslim League (MWL) examined how the principles that hold together the world's largest archipelago nation could inform broader efforts for global peace. The conversation, led by MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani and MWL Secretary-General Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, framed Pancasila not merely as a political tool but as a socio-cultural glue and a potential export for international harmony.

Chairman Muzani commenced his address by acknowledging the human cost of recent natural disasters, immediately anchoring the discussion in the reality of national trials. He proposed that the Indonesian people's capacity to endure such hardships stems from a spiritual and communal resilience cultivated by the nation's religious educators. This introduction served to present Pancasila's success as deeply connected to the character of the society it governs—a character shaped by faith, mutual aid (gotong royong), and a collective sense of destiny.

The Chairman then detailed the monumental challenge of unification that faced Indonesia's founders. He cataloged the nation's staggering plurality: over 17,000 islands, 713 local languages, and hundreds of ethnic groups. Pancasila, Muzani explained, was the ingenious "common agreement" that made a single unitary state imaginable and sustainable amidst this diversity. He stressed that the state protects the freedom to worship, which in turn reinforces national cohesion, creating a virtuous cycle where religious practice and civic unity are mutually reinforcing.

Muzani reserved particular acclaim for the nation's religious figures, the ulama and kiai, whom he described as essential pillars of social harmony. "They are present for the interest of the nation, asked or not," he stated, acknowledging that state officials owe a great debt to their work. This tribute highlighted the informal, grassroots networks that operationalize Pancasila's ideals daily, suggesting that the ideology's strength lies as much in societal implementation as in constitutional recognition.

Secretary-General Dr. Muhammad Al-Issa affirmed this perspective with his external analysis. He praised Indonesia as "a nation of shared life, peace, friendship, and wisdom standing on the foundation of Pancasila". His endorsement carried the weight of global Islamic observation, validating Indonesia's internal claim of successful pluralism. Dr. Al-Issa further elevated the discussion by drawing a philosophical parallel, stating that Pancasila's values are "in line with maqashid syariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law)", thus bridging national ideology and universal religious ethics.

The MWL leader broadened the scope to address polarization on the world stage. He explicitly rejected the theory of a 'clash of civilizations,' emphasizing instead Islam's teaching to respect universal human values and build bridges between nations. He cited the League's own initiatives, such as building East-West bridges and hosting global interfaith conferences, as practical endeavors in this spirit. Indonesia's example, in this context, is presented as empirical evidence that such bridge-building is not only possible but already flourishing in a major Muslim-majority nation.

Dr. Al-Issa also highlighted concrete collaborations, noting the major role Indonesian scholars played in drafting the MWL's Mecca Charter and documents on intra-Islamic relations. This point demonstrated that the partnership is two-way: Indonesia is both a model to be studied and a proactive contributor to global Islamic discourse. The dialogue, therefore, showcased a partnership of equals working on shared goals of harmony.

In closing, Dr. Al-Issa expressed heartfelt condolences for Indonesia's flood victims, a gesture that underscored the dialogue's underlying theme of shared humanity. The event successfully articulated a compelling vision: Pancasila is the key to Indonesia's internal unity, and its core principles—respect, consensus, and peaceful coexistence—are precisely the tools needed to address global fractures. The dialogue positioned Indonesia not just as a successful nation-state, but as a proactive contributor to a more harmonious world order, with its state philosophy as a central offering.

Tag: Global Peace Framework Indonesian National Unity Inter-civilizational Dialogue MPR World Muslim League Partnership Pancasila Unifying Diversity