Bandung Lights Up, Indonesia Decides.
(Reflection on the 71st Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, April 18-24)
By: Dr. Ali Aminulloh, M.Pd.I., ME. (Lecturer at IAI Al-Azis)
Will we still be a nation that once shook the world, or just a nation busy reminiscing?
This question is poignant when we look back, to an event that is not merely historical, but a turning point for civilization: the 1955 Asian-African Conference. From Bandung, Indonesia not only hosted the conference, but also became a voice: a voice for nations long silenced, a voice for a divided world, a voice for unfinished independence.
In April 1955, at the Merdeka Building, Sukarno stood not as the leader of a new nation, but as the spokesman for history. Before him, 29 Asian and African nations gathered: some newly independent, some still struggling, all bearing the scars of colonialism.
The world at that time was in the grip of two great powers: the United States and the Soviet Union. Small nations were forced to choose: follow the West or the East. But Bandung rejected that choice. Bandung gave birth to a third path, the path of courage to stand alone.
From that space was born the Ten Principles of Bandung, ten principles that affirm that every nation is sovereign, every human being is equal, and every conflict must be resolved without violence. Bandung also condemned colonialism in all its forms, including its new forms, and for the first time collectively raised the issue of Palestine as a matter of global justice.
For Indonesia, Bandung was not just a forum, but a strategy. Asian-African support strengthened the struggle to reclaim West Irian. For the world, Bandung was the spark that later ignited the Non-Aligned Movement and a wave of independence in Africa. A world once dominated by a handful of powers began to transform into a more balanced one.
But Bandung is not just about what happened, but about what was inherited.
Today, the world is once again at a crossroads. Tensions between the United States and Iran are heating up. The conflict in Palestine continues with Israel’s involvement. The world is once again trapped in the logic of blocs, in the tug of war, in the shadow of a protracted conflict.
And amidst all this, Indonesia is once again faced with a historical question:
Will we go with the flow, or will we determine our own direction?
The answer to that question was actually written long before Bandung, even before the republic was firmly established. The Preamble to the 1945 Constitution affirms that independence is the right of all nations, and therefore, colonialism must be abolished worldwide.
Bandung is the concrete embodiment of that statement.
However, great values cannot exist without awareness. This is where the awareness trilogy, championed by Sheikh Al Zaytun, AS, and Panji Gumilang, becomes crucial in reviving the spirit of Bandung in the contemporary context.
Philosophical awareness invites us to think more deeply: that Indonesia is not just a country, but an idea. An idea of justice, freedom, and sovereignty. In a world full of global pressures, this nation must not lose its own direction.
Ecological awareness reminds us that today’s conflicts are destroying not only humans but also the earth. Modern warfare is destroying the environment, accelerating the climate crisis, and threatening future generations. The Bandung principles of peace are becoming increasingly relevant, not only for humans, but for the very survival of life.
Social awareness affirms that every global policy impacts the people. Food prices, economic stability, and even the public’s sense of security are all linked to global dynamics. Bandung once spoke out for the oppressed. Today, Indonesia must stand up again.
History records that collective courage was born in Bandung. Sukarno, Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Zhou Enlai found common ground: that dignity is non-negotiable.
And Indonesia, a nation once considered new, has become a driving force.
The question now is no longer whether Indonesia is capable. History has already answered that.
The question is: does Indonesia still want to?
Bandung has proven that this nation is no small nation. It is a nation that once ignited the world’s hope. A nation that left its mark in the global struggle for independence. A nation that stands not only for itself, but for humanity.
So today, when the world is in turmoil again, Indonesia cannot simply remember Bandung.
Indonesia must be Bandung.
Because history does not wait.
And the world, once again, is searching for direction.**
Indonesia, April 18, 2026
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