MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, LEIDEN — Ayub, a member of the Muhammadiyah Council for Religious Opinion and Tajdid, addressed the issue of global racism during a discussion on Thursday, December 26. Speaking from Leiden, where he is pursuing his doctoral studies, Ayub compared the dynamics of racism in Indonesia to those in Western countries, particularly in Europe.
“Even the most racist individuals in Indonesia are always marginalized. From what I know and have read about national history, no one has ever been elected here on a platform explicitly opposing a particular race,” said Ayub.
In contrast, Ayub highlighted a trend in several European countries, where political parties or candidates openly use rhetoric against specific racial or cultural groups and still receive significant support. He referred to a recent incident in Germany, where anti-apostasy narratives surfaced after an attack on a Christmas market, as an example of how racism is more openly embraced in some Western political spheres.
Ayub expressed optimism about Indonesia’s political landscape, asserting that racism has limited influence in mainstream politics.
“I can’t imagine a political party in Indonesia thriving if its main agenda were anti-Chinese, anti-Arab, or anti any particular religion. Such rhetoric may appear during elections, but it’s usually from fringe actors, not main candidates,” he said.
Ayub also offered practical recommendations for Indonesia regarding Western assistance for inclusivity and human rights programs. He suggested that such funds might be better used addressing social inequalities within the donor countries themselves.
“Given these trends, I suggest that Indonesia avoid relying on Western taxpayer money for training on inclusivity, democracy, or human rights. That money would be better spent helping marginalized white communities in their own countries, improving their welfare and reducing their susceptibility to divisive, racist rhetoric,” said Ayub.
Ayub’s reflections highlighted both a concern about the rise of racism globally and an acknowledgment of Indonesia’s relative success in maintaining political inclusivity and social diversity. His observations offer a unique perspective on how different societies confront racism and the role global cooperation can play in addressing these challenges.
