NU cleric calls for three elements to face globalization

Malang, NU Online
Member of the Advisory Board of Nahdlatul Ulama KH Muhammad Tolchah Hasan, popularly known as Kiai Tolchah, called for the importance of having three lements in the face of globalization, namely strong faith, strength of character, and high moral strength.<>

"We must strengthen the faith in the face of globalization. not just any faith that we need, but the dominant faith of ourselves and our actions, not only the decorative or ornate faith," he said at a public lecture in front of some 400 new students of the Islamic University of Malang (UNISMA) recently.

At the general audience entitled 'Islam and the Clash of Global Civilization' is, Kiai Tolchah also called for the importance of not using violence in the name of faith.

"If our faith is the dominant one, wherever we are, and in any condition we are, our faith will remain intact," he added.

He also stressed that moderate Islamic values were extremely needed to face the current clash of global civilizations. Because the moderate Islam could be critical of all cultures that come from outside.

"Internationally, Islam is seen as a religion of intolerance. So it looks purist and has been regarded as a threat. Thus, it is our duty as educated people to build a tolerant Islamic civilization," said the former minister of Religious Affairs during the Gus Dur's era.

Kiai Tolchah also stressed that education had a big role in the effort to build the next golden generation of Indonesia, adding that educators must have a strong character.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq