Istiqlal Grand Imam Muchtar Nasir advocated pluralism, nationalism
Istiqlal Grand Imam Muchtar Nasir advocated pluralism, nationalism
A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Muchtar Nasir, the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, who passed away
on Monday evening after being treated for stroke at the Gatot
Subroto Army Hospital, was known for his moderate and nationalist
views and maintained pluralism, even among Islamic groups.
Nasir, whose body was buried at the Tanah Kusir Cemetery in
South Jakarta, was considered successful in managing the Istiqlal
Mosque, and in accommodating different Islamic organizations,
including the mainstream Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.
His stance on respecting pluralism between groups could be
seen in his decision to apply two approaches to Tarawih (night
prayers) during the Ramadhan fasting month.
The two approaches are eight rekaat (prayers), which is
practiced by Muhammadiyah followers, and 20 rekaat, usually
followed by NU members. The two rituals were both applied at
Istiqlal, believed to be the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.
"Why we should bother with praying times? We'd better focus on
asking people who do not practice Tarawih during Ramadhan," Nasir
once replied when asked why the mosque did not choose one of the
two.
Nasir, who was born in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, on Oct. 28,
1924, was also recognized for his modest lifestyle and rejection
of the use of Arabic symbols.
Wearing a traditional black peci (cap), the grand imam refused
to wear a turban even though he studied for 10 years at the Darul
Ulum University of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Many Indonesians are proud to wear the long white dress and
turban, especially, when they have just arrived from the haj
pilgrimage. Many Islamic leaders often wear turbans during
rituals and even in their daily lives.
After finishing his studies in Mecca, Nasir returned to
Indonesia in 1950 and became an officer at the Ministry of
Religious Affairs. He once headed the Ministry's Jakarta office.
Nasir, who is survived by four daughters, one son, nine
grandchildren and one great-grandchild, was installed as the
Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque by former president Soeharto on
Feb. 15, 1985. His wife passed away in 1986 at the age of 53.
As a state-owned mosque, the Istiqlal -- which means
"independence" -- was often visited by state guests, including
former U.S. president Bill Clinton in the 1990s.
According to Nasir, Clinton once expressed his curiosity as to
why the mosque was built directly opposite the Catholic
Cathedral; the Imam replied by explaining the plurality of the
nation, in terms of ethnicity, language and religion.