Lead-in:  

Dewa’s latest album, which has been the subject of numerous protests [from radical Muslims], receives a prestigious award from an American foundation.

Main story:

Presenter:  After being confronted in recent months by numerous protests concerning their use of a symbol representing the  name of God [Allah] on their album Laskar Cinta, Ahmad Dhani and his friends from the group Dewa have now received an award from Libforall Foundation.  The American organization, represented by Holland Taylor, honored Dewa for their most recent album, which is deemed effective at spreading the breath of peace and religious tolerance far and wide.  In addition to the award, Dewa will be invited to America to promote these values.  Every cloud has a silver lining of Divine wisdom, grace and power.  It seems that Dhani and his friends are now basking in that grace.

Dhani:  “We’re happy at the prospect of becoming known in America.  That’s something we’ve not yet done....  This isn't about us being pompous and trying to force people who aren’t tolerant to become tolerant.  But I do hope that  in the future, Dewa’s listeners—who are still young and not yet contaminated by radical ideology... by intolerance... I hope that Indonesia’s young generation will grow up to be more tolerant than the present generation. 

“Prior to Mr. Holland giving us this award for promoting tolerance, there were those who claimed that Dewa’s lyrics deviate from the truth of Islam.  In fact, we value everyone’s right to their own opinion, whether they consider Dewa's music to be heretical, or deeply spiritual... and our lyrics purely sentimental, or even non-idealistic.  That’s the essential point of this award: namely, that we value and respect everyone’s opinions, as long as they don’t try to force other people to agree with them... because that conflicts with democracy, and the process of globalization that we’re now facing.”

Presenter:  Why did Holland Taylor choose Dewa to launch a campaign promoting the values of peace and religious tolerance in the West?

Holland Taylor:  “Dewa is the best-known rock band in Indonesia, which has more Muslims than any other country in the world.  Many people in the West now feel a strong need to understand Islam, as well as the dynamics of Muslim societies throughout the world.”

Presenter:  The meeting between Dewa and Holland Taylor took place in the headquarters of the Nahdlatul Ulama and was witnessed by Kyai Haji Abdurrahman Wahid [aka Gus Dur].  Since the tidal wave of criticism [from religious extremists] fell upon Dewa, Gus Dur has been one prominent Islamic figure who supports the group without reservation.

Gus Dur: “This is my answer to Ridwan Saidi, who says that Dhani Dewa is a pantheist.  A pantheist is one who worships many gods, but in fact he [Dhani] has enough work just keeping up with one: sometimes he forgets God, and sometimes God forgets him.” [Joke, accompanied by general laughter.]

Presenter:  Dewa’s plans will come to fruition in the form of a concert in America, at the invitation of Libforall Foundation.  What preparations does Dewa plan to make?

Once (Dewa's vocalist): "We haven't started practicing or made any special preparations quite yet."