Presenter:  Apparently, making controversial music evokes the blessings of God.  At least it seems that way, to judge by what’s happened to Ahmad Dhani and his group Dewa.  Dhani has been taken arm-in-arm by Libforall Foundation, an American nonprofit organization that aims to spread the voice of religious tolerance to all nations.  Libforall is going to promote Dewa in America, as a way of helping to express tolerance through music.

Dhani:  “Dewa plans to visit America in order to interview with the MTV "mother station," as another way of promoting tolerance.  Although we’re a popular and commercially successful group, we feel we should give back to society, too.  Sure, we enjoy making money, but we also have to think beyond purely commercial activities.”

Presenter:  An honorable purpose and without any potential for controversy, it would seem.  However, this foundation harbors a spiritual element in keeping with its mission of disseminating tolerance between different religious communities.  Indeed, controversy may well arise, especially because this foundation comes from America.  Is that why Dhani drew Gus Dur into his meeting with Libforall Foundation?

Dhani:  “You know, people [including Americans] can be nice without being Muslim.  That should go without saying.  Gus Dur is genuinely devout and tolerant, in his behavior and not just words.  He’s a prominent figure who greatly respects other beliefs and spiritual paths.  That’s who he is, and not something he tries to be.  He’s always been that way, since the very beginning of his career.”

Presenter:  Gus Dur himself defended others’ freedom of expression, in connection with Ridwan Saidi’s accusation that the members of Dewa are engaged in spreading Jewish teachings.

Gus Dur:  “He [Ridwan Saidi] doesn’t have any idea what a pantheist, or pantheism, is.  Just tell him to talk with me.  The fact is, Dhani respects and defends other people’s rights, that’s all.  When it comes to your or my concepts of God, we all have rights as citizens of this country.  There are those who understand this simple fact, and those who don’t... and that’s just a part of life.”

Presenter:  We can all be proud that Indonesian musicians are once again going international, this time to the heart of the world’s policeman, the United States of America.