Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Awarded Doctor of Divinity Honorary Degree from Hartford International University
Rectorate Building, UIN News Online — The Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs and Professor at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree (Dr.H.C.) from Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, USA. The awarding ceremony took place at Hartford campus on Friday (May 16, 2025) local time and was attended by Indonesian diaspora, the Minister’s family, delegation members, and university leaders.
“Alhamdulillah, today I received the honor of Doctor Honoris Causa from Hartford International University (formerly Hartford Seminary), one of the best universities in America,” said Minister Nasaruddin Umar in an official statement from Kemenag.go.id.
He stated that this honorary degree is a form of trust from Hartford International University as well as encouragement to be more beneficial to society. “They have entrusted us through this award. Hopefully, we can responsibly use this trust for the benefit of the nation and the people of Indonesia,” he said.
The Minister expressed that the honorary degree is especially meaningful because Hartford International University feels like his second home. “I never feel like a guest here. Every time I come to this city and campus, I feel like coming home,” he said.
This feeling stems from his emotional closeness with Hartford International University. He also mentioned the President of Hartford International University, Dr. Joel N. Lohr, as a close friend who frequently visits Indonesia and is warmly welcomed at his home and office. “I believe this award might be more than what I deserve,” he added.
The honorary degree was granted in recognition of the Minister’s active role in promoting interfaith dialogue. Minister Nasaruddin has been actively involved in fostering interreligious dialogue, advocating harmony among Islamic sects, and his long dedication to various peace missions.
He said that efforts to build interfaith peace are still at the beginning of a long journey that must be continuously pursued. Therefore, the Minister emphasized the importance of building common ground amid differences, both between religions and among Islamic sects.
He exemplified the harmonious relationships he has built since his student days at IAIN Alauddin Ujung Pandang, including with Indonesia’s two major Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama. “I am a Nahdlatul Ulama member but always maintain close ties with Muhammadiyah and its leaders. Both are important assets for this nation,” he stressed.
Nasaruddin also shared his experiences studying in the United States, including his postdoctoral program and field research at Georgetown University. He witnessed the 9/11 tragedy firsthand and helped initiate the establishment of the IMAAM Center in Virginia, inaugurated by Indonesia’s 6th President, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in 2014.
As the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Minister Nasaruddin revealed that since 2023, he has sent dozens of master’s and doctoral students to Hartford for intensive training. Through the Ulama Cadre Education program (PKU), participants sent to Hartford University receive intensive training ranging from English language skills, research methodology, to interpretive epistemology. He described studying in America as reading a “living great book.”
The Minister also appreciated Hartford’s close ties with prominent Indonesian figures, such as Dr. Alwi Shihab, Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra, Dr. Hafid Abbas, and Vice President H.M. Jusuf Kalla. For this reason, he believes it is time to establish an Indonesia Study Center at Hartford to strengthen educational and religious cooperation between the two countries.
“This study center will become a positive energy for Indonesia–United States relations, especially in building civilization through education and interfaith dialogue,” he concluded.
Separately, the Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, MA, Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the honorary degree awarded to the Minister. According to him, this award is fitting and well-deserved for Professor Nasaruddin Umar considering his scholarly achievements as a Muslim intellectual excelling not only academically but also actively fostering a harmonious and tolerant religious life.
“He is a scholar, intellectual, visionary, and consistent promoter of peace through interfaith and intra-faith dialogue. One of his notable ideas is the Curriculum of Love, which emphasizes values of compassion and empathy in religious education,” he said.
Furthermore, Rector Asep Jahar affirmed that the award from Hartford International University is international recognition of Prof. Nasaruddin’s real contributions in building civilization through moderate academic and spiritual paths.
“Hopefully, this award will further strengthen his role in building peace among humanity through bridges of dialogue among religious communities at national and global levels,” he concluded.
(Release Kemenag / Zm)