KHUTBAH: MOVING TOWARDS A NEW, PEACEFUL AND PROSPER ASIAN-AFRICAN NATIONS

By: Ahmad Heryawan, Governor of West Java

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh

All Praises indeed be to Allah SWT, blessings and salutations upon Muhammad SAW, we ask Allah SWT to bless him and his companions and everyone of us. Let us pray to Allah to keep the leaders of Asia and Africa and us all steadfast on this deen and may He make us from amongst the blessed and those who are chosen.

Ya Allah we ask You to grant us knowledge that is beneficial and and we ask you to benefit us from the knowledge you have granted us. Ya Allah we do not have knowledge beside that you have granted us, for indeed you are the owner of knowledge, All Wise.

Ya Allah it is with your permission that we are able to gather here today to perform the Friday prayer as well as to gather to comemmorate the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference in Bandung. We the people of Indonesia, Bandung especially, are proud and humbled at the same time to welcome the Head of States, the Asian-African leaders and the distinguished guests of the 60th anniversary of Asian-African Conference today to perform the Friday prayer at the Grand Mosque of West Java Province.

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Distinguished and honorable guests of Friday prayer

60 years ago today, on April 24, the nations of Asia and Africa expressed understanding and solidarity to rise and unite towards the ideals of freedom and peace that are essential to achieve shared prosperity in the Asia-Africa Region.

1955 Asian-African Conference was a unique phenomenon and a valuable historical track record to humanity. Asian and African countries came together to voice new strength. This courage is certainly based on a vision of humanity and deep solidarity. Indeed, it comes naturally for us as human beings to unite in life because unity is the nature of humanity. Therefore, the whole human nature is the one people, united by the brotherhood of humanity (ukhuwah Insaniyah).

As Allah says

Mankind was one single nation; then Allah sent the messengers with glad tidings and warnings and with them He sent the Scripture in truth…(Q.S Al-Baqarah: 213)

And it was not a coincidence that a large part of the Asian-African nations is also composed of Muslims who are not only united by the brotherhood of humanity (ukhuwah insaniyyah) but also by a stronger brotherhood that is the brotherhood of Islam (ukhuwah Islamiyyah). As Allah says:

The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

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Because of this Islamic faith, Asian-African Nations, is like a solid building they come together and help each other. As word of the Prophet:

“The Believer to the Believer is like a solid building, one part supporting the other.”

[Related by Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore, it is imperative that Asian-African Nations unite, in order to prevent from being divided because the union will result in strength, unity, and prosperity, while divisions will lead to weakness and colonization.

As Allah says:

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (Q.S Al-Anfaal : 46)

The Head of States, the Asian-African Leaders, Distinguished Guests of The Friday Prayer

Asian-African Conference that carries out the theme of rejection of all forms of colonialism and imperialism has been successful. Currently, all Asian-African countries have managed to abolish all forms of colonialism and achieve independence, except one; the Palestinian state, which still continues to struggle to gain independence. It is a humanitarian obligation for all Asian-African Nations, to continue to encourage and support the independence of the Palestinian Nation.

The Head of States, the Asian-African Leaders, Distinguished Guests of The Friday Prayer

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60 years ago, the Solidarity of Asian-African Nations has proven to be able to solidify the independence of Asian and African nations. From now on, solidarity must continue to be resounded and consolidated in cooperation to build much stronger, advanced, secure and prosperous Asian-African nations under the protection of Allah SWT, because servitude to Allah would take place after prosperity and sense of security.

As Allah says

Let them worship the Lord of this House, Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear. (Q.S Quraisy : 3-4)

I hope that this Friday can be a witness that the 60th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference is able to bring an agreement to develop better, more advanced, modern and prosperous Asian-African nations based on faith and devotion to Allah SWT.

We are always hopeful that Allah would bestow glory and ease upon the leaders of Asian and African countries to play a major role in this noble effort. Let us pray to Allah to keep the leaders of Asia and Africa and us all steadfast on this deen and may He make us from amongst the blessed and those who are chosen.(R05/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)