JAKARTA. Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) Chairman Rev. AA Yewangoe says Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) member Hasyim Muzadi was a national figure who endeavored to reduce religious tension.
“His passing is a big loss to the country. Especially at this time when intolerance and discrimination are increasing. People like him are really needed,” Yewangoe said.
He said he met Hasyim at interfaith meetings of the National Moral Movement (GMN) in 2002, which promoted religious tolerance.
He said they travelled together to Ambon and Poso, among other places, to reduce inter-religious conflict. They were also involved in trying to appease Muslims who were enraged by a insulting caricature of Muhammad in 2006.
Hasyim passed away on Thursday in his hometown of Malang, East Java. The former chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) died at his residence in the compound of the Pesantren Mahasiswa Al-Hikam Islamic boarding school.
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