Yogyakarta (Antara Babel) - Hasyim Muzadi's views on Islam are lauded across the world and have become a form of soft diplomacy for creating a conducive situation in Indonesia, People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speaker Hidayat Nurwahid stated.
"Muzadi's views are internationally accepted as a form of soft diplomacy. The international community admires them," Nurwahid stated on the sidelines of activities held to promote MPR's four pillars in Yoyakarta on Friday.
Nurwahid made the remarks on the views of Muzadi, a former general chairman of the executive board of the country's largest Islamic organization Nahdhatul Ulama, who died on Thursday morning (Mar 16).
The MPR deputy speaker revealed that he was close to Muzadi. He noted that Muzadi was a moderate Muslim thinker whose thoughts are recognized and admired by the international community.
"Muzadi did not create compartmentalization among 'kyai' (Muslim clerics), politicians, and statesmen," Nurwahid stated.
Nurwahid emphasized that Muzadi's views contributed significantly to the advancement of moderate Islam and are admired by the world. His thoughts are accepted by the international community as a form of soft diplomacy that helps in creating conducive life in the nation and state.
"His thoughts place Islam and the state as two things that have no dichotomy," he stated.
He remarked that any idea of a group that wants to compartmentalize Islam will be against the views of Muzadi.
Muzadi, who was born on August 8, 1944, passed away at 6:15 a.m. local time on Thursday after receiving intensive treatment at the Lavalette Hospital and at his residence in Malang over the past several days.
President Joko Widodo has expressed condolences over the demise of the former chief of Indonesia's largest Islamic organization.
"Today, we have lost the best son of the nation Muzadi, a great cleric who always strived to ease tensions," the president noted in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan.
Muzadi was also a member of the Presidential Advisory Board for the 2014-2019 period.
"He was the nation's teacher who helped preserve Indonesia's diversity. He died at 6:15 a.m. at his residence," he stated.
The president expressed deep condolences over Muzadi's death on behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia.
Muzadi, who died at the age of 73, was buried in the compound of his Al-Hikam 2 Islamic boarding school in Depok, West Java, in the afternoon.
He had been undergoing treatment at the Lavalette Hospital in Malang, East Java, for fatigue.
After three days of treatment, his condition improved, and he was requested to take rest. He chose to return home to take rest.
Widodo had visited Muzadi on Wednesday and had prayed for him.
Muzadi became the running mate of Megawati Soekarnoputri in the 2004 presidential election when he resigned as the general chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama.
As a member of the Presidential Advisory Board, he called for halting the debate over political actors taking part in the November 4, 2016, demonstration in Jakarta for the sake of the country's unity.
