LAZISNU: Philanthropy & Religious Moderation in Line with ‘Maqashid Sharia’

PPIM.UINJKT.AC.ID – Nahdlatul Ulama’s (NU) philanthropic unit NU Care, known as LazisNU, revealed that both philanthropy and religious moderation were in line with the five maqashid (objectives) sharia principles: the freedom of religion with actions to prevent extremism (hifz din), health services (hifz nafs), access to education and the freedom of opinion (hifz aql), protection towards the next generation and fulfilment of child nutrition (hifz nasab), and economic empowerment (hifz mal).

The statement was conveyed by LazisNU Executive Director, Abdur Rouf, in a virtual seminar series of #ModerasiBeragama (Religious Moderation) themed “Generosity and Philanthropy in the Framework of Religious Moderation” held on Friday (28/8).

The seminar was organized by the Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) of the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta, in collaboration with the university’s  Social Trust Fund (STF) organization, through Convey Indonesia program.

“In the context of religious moderation, the spirit is about how we can provide the freedom of religion and religious practices, health services, development of peace movements, and access to education,” Rouf said.

NU, through its NU Care, would continue to push its commitment in the philanthropy and religious moderation practices, Rouf said. He also explained that such practices could be found in the initial concept of the establishment of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) in Indonesia, in which the commitment to the implementation of Islamic teachings followed the principles of tawasuth (moderate), tasamuh (tolerance), tawazun (proportional), and i’tidal (justice).

“Since the 17th century, many Islamic boarding schools have been established by volunteerism and philanthropic movements. Although not all pesantren can survive [until now], at least this tradition can last for centuries,” Rouf said.

The virtual seminar on Religious Moderation is held every Friday via “Convey Indonesia” official Youtube channel. Besides Rouf, the discussion that was moderated by Convey Indonesia Team Leader Jamhari Makruf also presented several figures who were actively involved in philanthropic activities, such as Amelia Fauzia (Director of STF UIN Jakarta), Hilman Latief (Coordinator of PP Muhammadiyah’s LazisMu), and Haidar Bagir (Founder and Director of Mizan Group).

Writer: Andita Putri Ghassani

Editor: Zhella Apriesta