VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Religion Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi said that the passing of his predecessor Prof. A. Malik Fadjar, on Monday is a big loss for the Ministry of Religion.

"Innalillahi wa innailaihi raji'un. I express my deep condolences for the passing of Prof. A. Malik Fadjar on Monday night," Fachrul said in Jakarta, on Tuesday.

"This is a big loss for us, the Ministry of Religion's family. Not only has served as Minister of Religion, but he is also a figure in the development of Islamic education," he said.

Fachrul said that Malik Fadjar had a big role in Islamic education since his youth. Born into a Muhammadiyah family on Feb. 22, 1939, Malik, as he is casually called, was educated by the Religious Affairs Ministry.

Young Malik completed his Doctoral Degree from the Tarbiyah Faculty, Sunan Ampel Surabaya in 1972 (currently UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang).

"What is interesting is that he has built a career starting as a teacher at the State People's School (SRN) until he became Director-General of Islamic Development at the Religious Affairs Ministry in the 1995s," Fachrul said.

"When he became the Minister, he made many improvements and innovations, including the development of Islamic elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school management. He contributed to the development of Islamic education," he said.

For his extraordinary service for Indonesia, the professor received the Mahaputera Adipradana Star of Honor from former President B.J. Habibie on Aug. 13, 1999. (RRI)