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.