President and prominent Muslim scholar discuss Islamic moderation

Jakarta, NU Online
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited the Bayt Alquran Islamic Boarding School on Friday. During his visit, Jokowi had a dialogue with the founder and Director of the Bayt Alquran Islamic Boarding School, Prof. Quraish Shihab.

"Alhamdulillah, I'm able to visit and meet with Pak Quraish Shihab, Prof. Nasaruddin, at the Center for the Quran Study in South Tangerang. We've discussed a lot of these things, but the main point was about Islamic moderation," Jokowi explained after meeting at Bayt Alquran Islamic Boarding School on Friday (25/01).

As reported by Republika.co, Quraish also conveyed his input regarding realization of Islamic moderation in Indonesia. Quraish said that the Bayt Alquran Islamic Boarding School itself was the center of Islamic studies that highlighted the moderation in Islam.

"Alhamdulillah (our opinions) were warmly and attentively welcomed (by president). I think that is why the world needs moderation not violence," Quraish said.

Jokowi was accompanied by Mrs. Iriana and Secretary of State Pratikno in his visit to Bayt Alquran. After that, Jokowi was scheduled to distribute land certificates in Pondok Cabe and continue to distribute waqf certificates in Bekasi.

Bayt Alquran Islamic Boarding School was founded by Quraish Shihab a decade ago. The establishment of the Bayt Alquran Islamic Boarding School was based on the condition of many Quranic memorizers who had not been supported by broad and profound understanding and opinions. Some of them come from weak economic circles.

The presence of the pesantren was expected to be able to answer the needs of reliable hafiz skills.

"Hopefully after the students have attended education here, they will return to the community with extensive scientific insight, and can work independently for a more decent life," Quraish said. (Masdar)