Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siroj (Kang Said) called on the Nahdliyin (NU followers) to strengthen the scientific base among Muslims. Because, according to him, the history of Islamic civilization is inseparable  from a strong scientific tradition.<>

"Islam is a communal faith whose mission is for humanitarian purposes. Because Allah and his Messengger (Prophet Muhammad-PBUH) did not want to see his people stupid, ignorant, weak, uncivilized," he said at a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Bandung's Branch Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) office, at Jalan Laswi, Ciparay Bandung regency, West Java, over the weekend.

Said Kang was deeply concerned that "today many people have had great passion in religious matters, but forgotten scientific footings." As a result, many religious preachers are misguided propaganda, being religious but also committing inhumane acts that are not in accordance with the teachings of Islam that upholds humanity and civilization.

"Radical Islam, Islamic extremism was all driven by passion, instead of being based on science. They mostly do not have an understanding of history. Just through means of, (among others), shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and then committing acts of burning and sweeping. If Islam is upheld through propaganda by means of violence, hatred and savage behavior, then people will not embrace it," he said.

Given the science is a key pillar of religion, Kang Said called for the importance of religious leaders wherever they are to understand and have broad interesting in religious books.

"The religious leaders, including mosques' imam (prayer leaders), should be knowledgeable. Mosques Imam in villages must be at least capable of understanding the books like Safinah and other basic ones. Mosques imam in the district level should at least master such books as Fatqul Qarib and Bulughul Maram, mosques imam at the provincial level should understand the basic books in addition to mastering such books as Tafsir Jalalain, Fathul Wahab, and other (tafsir) books," he explained.

Kang Said also called on government officials and religious leaders, including such organizations as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah to be aware of alumni of the Middle East possibly propagating the radical ideas.

"There have been many joining the ISIS or radical movements in the Middle East, amounting to hundreds of members. Some are still alive, and died," he said, adding that those who are still alive and later return to Indonesia, will possibly sow the seeds of destruction and cruelty. "Their hands are itching to bomb. Though there is no war, they seek possible reasons to bomb." 

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq