Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi admitted that he personally was not appropriate to receive the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN) Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

“The (honorary) degree should be ideally given to Kiai Hasyim (KH Hasyim Asy’ari) and Kiai Wahab (KH Wahab Hasbullah),” said Hasyim while speaking at a meeting held by the Jakarta’s NU Women Organization (Muslimat NU) in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/11).

<>The honorary degree on Islamic civilization he receives would take place in the Islamic High Istitute on 2 Desember ahead.

The former chairman of East Java’s NU explained that his accounts and views in realizing world peace based on the moderate NU line of thoughts could be considered as reasons why the leader of the Islamic boarding school Al Hikam Malang is eligible enough to receive the degree.

He realized that he was fully indebtful to the founding fathers of the country’s largest Muslim organization, NU formulating the moderate concepts based on Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah (Aswaja).

“I just note whatever within the NU. then, I bring it to public, religious people in Indonesia and international world as well. That is why, the most appropriate figures to receive are them (NU founding fathers),” Hasyim said.

The Surabaya’s IAIN would give him the honorary degree for his services in developing Islamic civilization. At least his successful in organizing an international ulema meeting called as International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS) last Jun, and is now mandated to be the president of the World Conference on Religion and Peace.

Besides, Hasyim was also noted as one of the key persons playing important roles in settling conflicts in southern Thailand.

“Kiai Hasyim has also huge concerns over the world education through the Islamic boarding school Al Hikam in Malang East Java. Then, we have examined his ten scientific accounts in the form of books and journals he wrote,” said the Rector of IAIN Sunan Ampel Prof Dr Ridlwan Natsir MA in Surabaya several days ago.

In the coming much-awaited ceremony, Hasyim would deliver a speech entitled “Islam Rahmatan lil Alamin Toward Justice and Peace in the light of NU Perspective”.

Hasyim added that his views based not on violence in overcoming any problems could be purposefully a solution over the conflicts in the country and international community. (rif)