Hasyim to deliver a speech in New York

New York, NU Online
What is the difference between the term of ulema and scholar? General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama has the answer.

Speaking before Indonesian Muslims in the Uniter States, Hasyim explained that ulema had more brilliant and effective ways in preaching. All people's difficulties could be easily explained and solved.<>

"Ulema tends to explain difficult things with easy ways. While scholar tends to explain easy things with difficult ones," Hasyim said in his speech at the Al Hikmah Mosque, New York on Friday (8/2).

The NU Online's Joko Sumiyanto in New York quoted the President of World Conference on Religions for Peace as saying that in spreading Islamic teachings, ulema in the past time had always tried to understand whatever needed by people (ummat) and regarded religion as a trivial matter.

"They had known religion embraced by people at that time was Hindu," Hasyim said, adding that the ulema had also known what they need.

The caretaker of the Malang's Al Hikam Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren), East Java, added that there was no such a commandment that all humandkind should embrace Islam. The important thing was how to place Islam properly.

"It is not enough for us to understand and practice Islamic teachings, but we know how to place them. Only Allah has authority to "install" guidance to human," Hasyim said.

At the religious gathering attended by Indonesian Consulate General officials in New York, Hasyim was of view half of Indonesian problems may easily be overcome if its leaders are still in single voice. While other remaining problems can be solved by its people. (rif)