President Calls for Balanced Religious-Science/ Technology Education

Pandeglang, Indonesia (Antara News) - President Joko Widodo has urged the Mathla'ul Anwar Islamic organization to develop an educational system that teaches students a balanced religious, science and technology curriculum.

"As an Islamic organization that has concern over educational development, I appeal to Mathla'ul Anwar to continue developing a balanced religious, science and technology education," President Widodo said when opening the 19th congress of the organization, and also the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the organization here on Saturday.

MA, he said, with its social and cultural capital and support of boarding schools, has the opportunity to create an intellectual generation of Muslims who do not only command religious matters, but also science and technology.

He said he hoped the organization, which was established 100 years ago by community and religious figures, including KH Mas Abdurachman, could maintain the moral and religious, as well as civil and respectful traditions of the people, which reflects the character of Indonesian Muslims.

"At the Asia-Africa conference I met with heads of state from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, and they were all amazed by the life of the Indonesian Muslims," he said.

They view Indonesian Muslims as being polite, well-behaved and having civility, and this must be maintained, the president said.

"Indonesian Muslims are not the ones who often conduct demonstrations and are angry, but are good, polite and have civility in carrying out their daily lives. This is what other Islamic countries, especially from the Middle East, have seen," he said.

President Joko Widodo hoped MA could create an Islamic generation that respects plurality, a quality that needs to be further developed to realize an Islam that brings "rahmatan lil alamin" (peace and blessings to all).

He further said Islamic values, such as moderation and respect for pluralism, must continue to be developed to prevent radicalism.

Meanwhile, MA general chairman KH Sadeli Karim said relations between MA and the government would remain good. If the government is correct, MA will be in the front line supporting it, he said.

"However if the government violates the constitution, MA will not hesitate to correct it. MA is ready to appeal to all quarters to work together to build the nation," he added