JAKARTA — Sad news has spread from a prominent national figure. The entire Muslim community worldwide was shocked by the passing of one of the most influential Muslim intellectuals who has made significant contributions to the advancement and development of Islamic thought in Indonesia.
He was Prof. Dr. H. Azyumardi Azra, M.Phil., M.A., CBE., who was last serving as Chairman of the Press Council, passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. local time, at Serdang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia.
The passing of Prof. Azra has undoubtedly brought deep sorrow to the Indonesian people. His contributions through his scholarly works published in journals and the media are too numerous to count.
Dompet Dhuafa, as an Islamic institution dedicated to empowering the poor, cannot forget the fond memories of the late Prof. Azra. In addition to serving as Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, the late Prof. Azra also contributed to Dompet Dhuafa’s efforts to alleviate poverty.
At that time, Prof. Azra held the positions of Board of Trustees, Supervisory Board, and Chairman of the Expert Board at Dompet Dhuafa. His involvement with Dompet Dhuafa during his lifetime was a testament to his appreciation for the organization’s dedication to serving the community, particularly the underprivileged.
Parni Hadi, as the Initiator, Founder, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dompet Dhuafa, remembered the late Prof. Azra through a short video on Monday (September 19, 2022). As a friend, Parni Hadi described Prof. Azra as a Muslim scholar with extraordinary thinking.
“He was my friend, my dialogue partner. A great Muslim intellectual, I used to call him ‘Mas Mardi’. He was very down-to-earth. He once joined Dompet Dhuafa on the Supervisory Board and the Expert Council,” recalled Parni Hadi.
“His thoughts were extraordinary; he published many books. I often read one of his books titled ‘The Relevance of Moderate Islam.’ He supported and promoted Dompet Dhuafa, adhering to the principle of moderate Islam. This, I believe, is Mas Mardi’s contribution to the Indonesian nation, beneficial for Islam and in collaboration with Dompet Dhuafa,” he explained.
Pun Parni Hadi also offered prayers, hoping that his soul will always be embraced by the love of Allah SWT, and that he will continue to give strength to the family he left behind.
“Farewell, may Allah grant you paradise according to your deeds. Rest in peace, rest in paradise,” concluded Parni Hadi on Monday (19/9/2022).
The body of Prof. Azra was buried today, Tuesday (September 20, 2022), at Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta. The funeral ceremony for Prof. Azra began around 8:52 AM local time. Along with several prominent figures, family members, and relatives who attended the funeral of the late Chairman of the Press Council, the entire board of directors of Dompet Dhuafa were also present to pay their final respects before the burial.
“We remember many things about Prof. Azra. He has always been very focused on the empowerment efforts carried out by Dompet Dhuafa and has given them tremendous appreciation. During his tenure as rector, he also paid special attention to the clean and healthy program and expressed his appreciation to Dompet Dhuafa,” recalled Rahmad Riyadi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dompet Dhuafa.
“Additionally, what is particularly striking to me, as a world-class intellectual, is his humility. He was also willing to deliver religious lectures at mosques, which I believe is a manifestation of his commitment to moderate Islam. I am confident that his ideas can provide a profound spiritual balance for the younger generation,” he added.
Read also: https://www.dompetdhuafa.org/mendiang-prof-dr-azyumardi-azra-dalam-kenangan-ustadz-wahfiudin-sakam/
The entire Dompet Dhuafa family mourns the passing of Prof. Dr. H. Azyumardi Azra, M.Phil., M.A., CBE. May Allah forgive his sins and mistakes, grant him mercy, and accept all his good deeds during his lifetime, and grant him the best place by His side. Aamiin ya Robbal ‘Alamin. (Dompet Dhuafa / Arlen / Dhika Prabowo)