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| Ali Fauzi when carrying out his dissertation examination at UMM. (Photo: Yafi PR UMM) |
University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) is a place that gives hope and is considered open to anyone. This was said by Ali Fauzi, a former terrorist convict (Napiter) who successfully completed his dissertation trial at the UMM White Campus, last January 17. He who majored in Islamic education doctoral studies related to Religious Moderation Education for Former Convicts in his final assignment.
Furthermore, Ali, his greeting focused on the subject of ex-convicts. Starting from the recruitment process, and radicalization, to actions in the form of shootings and bombings. He considered that their understanding of Islam in texts that were not in accordance with the Indonesian context had sunk into fundamental radical movements that led to terrorism.
"But now convicts have realized their mistake in having harmed other parties and put an end to it," he said.
According to Ali, religious moderation makes them open their minds and be aware. Especially the rights of other people with different understandings and religions in Indonesia. The moderate and humanist interpretation of Islam calms the mind of ex-convicts.
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Interestingly, Ali also has a foundation called the Circle of Peace Foundation. This foundation aims to bring former convicts back to the Republic of Indonesia, provide coaching in prisons, and empower them through life skills training. It even provides educational assistance for their children and also widows whose husbands have left them.
Regarding the White Campus, he considered UMM was an Islamic university that provided coolness. This could not be separated from UMM's Islamic understanding which had a civilized, wasathiyah, and moderate outlook. Especially with a line of educators who are not only good from an academic point of view but also set an example and become good discussion partners.
Meanwhile, Prof. Akhsanul In'am, Ph.D. as the Director of the UMM Postgraduate Program appreciated the dissertation compiled by Ali Fauzi. This cannot be separated from the discussion regarding religious moderation. For him, the study is very important to be discussed and shared with the community.
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"In religion, we should be good people as much as possible by not going too far to the left and not too far to the right," he explained.
In'am, said that UMM always provides opportunities for anyone to learn and change to become a better person, including former terrorists like Ali Fauzi. Because, according to him, UMM could provide broad insight and true knowledge into religion.
"As the general chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Pak Haidar Nasir said, we must take a middle path. Not too left and not too right."
Apart from Ali, previously there were non-Muslim students from Australia who took their doctorate in Islamic Religious Education. This proves the high level of inclusiveness of UMM. It is also an attempt by the White Campus to convey to the public that the Islam that is being taught is a soothing Islam.
"Now Pak Fauzi is struggling in Muhammadiyah and can smell his perfume. If in the past he struggled with blacksmiths and got sparks, now he can smell perfume, especially from UMM. So, anyone can study Islam here, as long as the intention is to change for the better. In fact, Pak Ali now has a foundation that promotes moderation in religion," he concluded. (cdr/ros/wil)
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