Speaking separately with The Jakarta Post, young NU scholars remembered Hasyim, as a moderate cleric who maintained traditional Islamic values and at the same time accepted new values as well as promoting a nationalistic outlook.

“NU lost its best son. Kyai (cleric) Hasyim was a committed member of NU from the lowest branch until rising to its top position. He toured remote areas in the country to meet people, speaking with simple language,” Abdul Moqsith Ghazali, a member of the NU central board (PBNU) said.

Moqsith said Hasyim often introduced jokes and terms which reflected current political conditions in the country, such as “mungkin bukan soal beda pendapat, tapi beda pendapatan” (it’s probably not a difference of opinion, but a difference in income).

Ulil Abshar-Abdalla, the cofounder of Islami Liberal Network (JIL) viewed Hasyim, who was also a member Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres), as having a deep awareness of Islamic and Indonesian values.

“(He was) a cleric who had a ghirah or commitment for the Islamic sunni tradition, but was open to new developments,” Ulil said.

(Read also: Former NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi passes away)

Meanwhile, the Moderate Muslim Society chairman Zuhairi Misrawi said Hasyim had a strong vision of both Islam and Indonesia.

“His life was fully dedicated to Islamic moderation a la NU and upholding the Unitary State of Indonesia,” Zuhairi said.

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