Radical Islam, superficial Islam

Jakarta, NU Online
The more superficial one's study towards religion, the greater his potential for being radical. The more profound and longer one learns religion, the more gentle his attitude.

The statement was made by the Secretary Rabithah  Ma'had Islami (RMI) or association of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) Mitah Faqih on the sidelines of a workshop here over the weekend (16/10).

"Therefore, NU students are impossible to be radical. Even if they are forced. NU students do not know anything except the word of peace: Hum la illa ya'rifuna qawlan qawlan Salama (they do not know the words, but the ones of peace) Why? Because their line of struggle is mainly based on substance, "said Miftah.

Miftah added, NU pesantren have functions, including educating and seriously teaching someone under the guidance of a cleric (kiai). "What is taught is inseparable and not separated from the Koran, the Hadith, Qiyas (syllogism), the opinion of ulema (Islamic scholars)," he added.

He said that the transformation of science has so far been conducted and translated into actions, so there have been many pesantren being the pioneers of change.

In addition, he added, had such functions as strengtheing, namely its social function to the community (islamic preaching).

Faqig was of the opinion that pesantren were the oldest educational institutions in the country and had big contribution in seeding the values of loving the state and nation.

He said that there had been no any NU pesantren teaching and propagating its students to be radical. (aba)