Mourners pray and lay wreathes at the grave of KH Hasyim Muzadi at the courtyard of Pondok Pesantren Al Hikam Mosque, Kukusan, Beji, Depok, West Java, Thursday (16/3). KH Hasyim Muzadi died after receiving medical treatment at Lavalette Hospital, Malang, East Java, due to his illness.
DEPOK, KOMPAS — KH Hasyim Muzadi, a member of the Presidential Advisory Council and a former chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama died on Thursday (16/3) at 6:15 a.m. at his house in Malang, East Java. An NU figure whom President Joko Widodo labeled as a guru of pluralism died at the age of 72 years after battling sickness since January 2017.
“Today, we have lost one of the nation’s best sons, KH Hasyim Muzadi. On behalf of the government, on behalf of the Indonesian people, I would like to extend my deepest condolences. May he be placed close to God, given the best place,” the President said on the sidelines of his visit to the state border in Nanga Badau, Kapuas Hulu regency, West Kalimantan, yesterday.
The President who visited Hasyim a day before his demise sees the man who ran Al Hikam Boarding School in Malang and Depok as a Muslim cleric and a guru who always maintained pluralism in the country. “He is a prominent ulema. An ulema who always cools down the situation, comforts the people and a guru who maintains the plurality of our nation, Indonesia,” the President said.
The body of the kiai, born on Aug.8, 1944, was buried in the complex of Al-Hikam Boarding School in Depok according to his request. “Abah is buried in Depok according to his will. That’s his will. He wanted the boarding school to be maintained. Please pray for him,” said Abdul Hakim, the eldest son of Hasyim Muzadi.
Before being flown to Depok, a thousand mourners prayed in front of the body of Hasyim at the complex of Al-Hikam Boarding School in Malang. At 12:30 p.m., the body was taken to the Abdulrachman Saleh Airbase in Malang to be flown to Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in Jakarta on board of a Hercules aircraft. Hasyim was buried with a military funeral led by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
“Indonesia has lost one of its best sons. He stuck to the principles during his works. Everything he did brought benefit to the people and people should learn from that in order to contribute to the nation,” Kalla said.
Present at the funeral were People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Zulkifli Hasan; MPR deputy speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid; Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) chairman Agus Rahardjo; KPK deputy chairman Laode M Syarif; Presidential Chief of staff Teten Masduki; Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo; State-Owned Enterprise Minister Rini Soemarno; Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Minister Eko Putro Sanjoyo; Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa and National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Muhaimin Iskandar.
Condolences also came in from numerous people. Former Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif remembered Hasyim as a figure who always maintained the integrity and unity of Indonesia. Every decision he took always considered national unity and followed the principle of respect.
Sowing peace
So far, Khofifah said, Hasyim always fought for Islam’s rahmatan lil alamin (blessing for the universe), sowing peace and love not violence. This, Khofifah said, is conveyed everywhere and to everyone in language that is easy to understand.
“A week ago, I got a strong message from Kiai Hasyim to maintain brotherhood. First, maintain brotherhood among Muslims, NU members, the nation and mankind. If it can be achieved, there would be harmonious. If harmony is achieved, the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia will survive,” Khofifah said.
Muhaimin likewise shared a similar opinion, saying Hasyim was a prominent ulema who could unify the diverse components of the nation. “We continue by living in harmony without violence and living side by side with followers of other faiths,” he added.
Malang bishop Mgr Henricus Pidyarto Gunawan O Carm said he was saddened by the passing of Hasyim. “We have lost a figure who fought for tolerance and peace among different faiths. May there be ones who carry on his ideas,” he said.
East Java Governor Soekarwo said that as a prominent NU ulemam, Hasyim emphasized that Islam could bring peace and blessing for the universe.
On behalf of the deceased’s family, Jombang-based Tebuireng Boarding School patron KH Shalahuddin Wahid thanked all in attendance at the funeral. “We apologize to the public, please forgive any wrongdoings of Hasyim Muzadi. Not only has his family suffered a loss, but the public has too,” Salahuddin said.
