COUNTERING THE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPICAL IMAGE OF ISLAM IN WESTERN WORLD: INDONESIAN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY THROUGH INTERFAITH DIALOGUE (2004-2014)

Abstract

Extremist groups can be found in some religions. However, the existence of al-Qaeda that operated the September 11, 2001 attacks in the name of Islam has led to the negative stereotypical image of Islam in the Western world. It is not only al-Qaeda but also some terrorist organizations such as Jemaah Islamiyah and ISIS also legitimate the use of violence in the name of Islam. Misperception and misconception within western societies about Islam are often linked to terrorists, extremists, jihad, and radicalism. As the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia has been in disadvantages position. Therefore, there is an urgency and need from Government of Indonesia to counter the negative stereotypical image of Islam in the Western world. Government of Indonesia started to place Interfaith Dialogue program in their international agenda in a form of Public Diplomacy organized by Directorate of Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Interfaith Dialogue program utilized Indonesia's Public Diplomacy assets which are moderate Muslims, democracy and pluralism. Interfaith Dialogue has been used as government's proactive effort in response to this issue and considered as a platform of Indonesia's soft power approach. This thesis is significant in providing detailed information and analysis on how Interfaith Dialogue program has been used as public diplomacy to counter the negative stereotypical image of Islam in the Western world.