The R20 Forum in Bali: Signs of an Intriguing Partnership

Author
Nir Boms, alongside Giora Eliraz, has published an article for "Fikra Forum", which discusses the significance of the Saudi Muslim World League's (MWL) and Indonesian Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) cooperation seen in the Religion 20 (R20) Forum, which took place in Bali in November 2022.
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"Co-hosting the R20 event were the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)—Indonesia’s largest religious movement and a key civil society partner of the current Indonesian government - and the Muslim World League (MWL) - Mecca-based Islamic organization considered until few years ago to be Saudi's main engagement vehicle to globally promote an exclusive Wahhabi/Salafi agenda. Perhaps this new partnership is more than symbolic, and further cooperation could represent an important step in the formation of a new theological and ideological path for the Islamic world."

"If this cooperation continues, it is likely to reinforce the emerging coalition of Arab and Muslim stakeholders who are advocating a peaceful, moderate, and tolerant view of Islam and its promotion throughout the Middle East and the Arab world. Although interfaith meetings rarely get media attention in the context of influencing world events, the R20 Summit was meant to be different and likely intended as a sign of hope for cooperation to come."