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The Maarif Institute for Culture and Humanity has named three local
champions of pluralism and economic empowerment the winners of the
award named after the former Muhammadiyah chairman.
The Maarif Award will be presented Tuesday to Cicilia Yuliati
Hendayani, Hasanain Juaini and Tafsir in a ceremony at Taman Ismail
Marzuki arts center in Central Jakarta.
"The award goes to local figures who are doing something real to
benefit people at a grassroots level. Their works have revived our
optimism that there are alternative figures whom we can look up to amid
the ubiquitous politicians and national figures implicated in
corruption," Maarif Institute executive director Raja Juli Antoni said.
The three winners were selected from 70 candidates by a panel that
included former education minister Malik Fajar, the director general of
basic and secondary education management Suyanto, Clara Juwono of the
Centre for Strategic and International Studies, scholar Syamsu Rizal
Panggabean of Gadjah Mada University, activist Ivan Hadar and Kompas senior journalist Maria Hartiningsih.
During the selection, the institute observed the candidates' activities
in the field and sought the perspectives of people around them. "It's
kind of a verification of the candidates' credentials," said Raja.
Cicilia, a Catholic nongovernmental organization activist, won the
award for promoting the rights of people in Banyu Urip, an isolated and
underdeveloped village in the East Java regency of Blitar. People in
the village have lived with the stigma of being a one-time communist
stronghold, consequently deprived of various economic, political and
religious rights.
Cicilia founded the learning house Griyo Pitoyo (House of Faith) for
peasant children, the Solidarity of Religious Followers organization to
mediate sectarian conflicts and a farmers cooperative.
Hasanain is known as a progressive Muslim cleric fighting for democracy
in education, including alternative education for women, in West
Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. He also initiated a conservation movement
which has turned 30 hectares of arid land into green space.
A leader of a local Islamic boarding school, Hasanain is known for his
messages of environmental protection, empowerment and religious harmony
through his sermons.
Muhammadiyah executive Tafsir was chosen for promoting progressive
ideas running counter to conservative Islam. In educating people about
Islam, he regularly talks to transvestites, drug addicts and other
marginalized groups.
Last year, the Maarif award went to Maluku peacemaker Rev. Jack Manuputty and Poso peacemaker Arianto Sangaji.
The Maarif Institute was founded by former Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad
Syafii Maarif in 2003 to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue
and peace.
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