Multi-Track Diplomacy Fiqh of Nahdlatul Ulama in Countering Islamophobia in the Netherlands

Abstract

Islamophobia is a global issue, leading to discrimination, violence, and hatred against Muslims in the Netherlands. In response to this, the Special Branch of Nahdlatul Ulama of the Netherlands (PCINU of the Netherlands) is among the Indonesian diaspora campaigning for the moderation of “Islam Nusantara” through multi-track diplomacy fiqh, a holistic approach emphasizing interdependence in politics, economics, and socio-culture. This paper discusses the multi-track diplomacy fiqh of PCINU of the Netherlands in fighting against Islamophobia in the country. As a non-governmental socio-religious organization, PCINU of Netherlands play a role and strategy in assisting the diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in spreading the “Islam Nusantara” idea to counter Islamophobia. This article is based on empirical research with fiqh al-siyāsah and maqāṣid al-sharī’ah analysis. This study finds that, in countering Islamophobia, PCINU of the Netherlands uses a multi-track diplomacy strategy that successfully spreads friendly, anti-terror, tolerant and moderate Islam. Even though PCINU has not fully employed all Multi-track fields, it has successfully encountered islamophobia and promoted peaceful Islam through Islam Nusantara.