MUI leader Hasan dies aged 78

JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Hasan Basri passed away on Sunday at the age of 78.

He was reportedly suffering from various illnesses, including diabetes, when he died at his home in South Jakarta at about 1:15 p.m. The funeral is scheduled for Monday at the Tanah Kusir cemetery in South Jakarta.

Among those who went to pay their respects on Sunday were Hasan's deputy Ali Yafie, businessman Aburizal Bakri, noted scholar and former minister of religious affairs Quraisy Sihab, and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare/Poverty Eradication Haryono Suyono.

The body was laid out at the home of Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta. Fahmi is Hasan's son-in-law.

The husband of Nurhani, and father of four children was born in Muara Teweh, Central Kalimantan on August 20, 1920.

Ali described his colleague as "the sort of needed leader" and one who "most understood" MUI, which he had led for the past 13 years. MUI was first overseen by the late famed scholar and cleric Buya Hamka.

"He always guided people to take the proper steps because he understood MUI's existence from the beginning," Ali said, as quoted by Antara.

MUI is looked upon by Moslems to provide decrees or guidance regarding religious matters. The latest request was from the Aisyah women's organization, that MUI release a decree on whether a president could be female.

Hasan was a teacher from 1941 to 1945 at an Islamic (Muhammadiyah) school which he and his wife set up in Marabahan, South Kalimantan.

He was involved in a number of Islamic organizations, including the Indonesian Moslems Union (1945-1959), the Indonesian Mosques Association (1953-1998) and the Al-Azhar Foundation.

In 1968, along with Lukman Harun, Hasan set up the Indonesian Moslems Party (Parmusi), before retiring from politics two years later.

Hasan, who was also a member of the House of Representatives (1950-1960), was appointed MUI's general chairman in 1985.

Legislator Lukman Harun said Hasan was a Moslem leader who was consistent with the principle of amar ma'ruf nahi mungkar (to support the good and to fight against the ill).

Lukman, also an executive of the Moslem organization Muhammadiyah, added that Hasan was accepted by all sides.

"He was a mediator to bridge the interests of the Moslem community and the government," said Harun, as reported by Antara. (01)