Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - Islamic scholar Dawam Rahardjo passed away at the age of 75 at Jakarta Islamic Hospital on Wednesday evening.

"Innalillahi wainnaillahi rojiun (we belong to Allah and to him we shall return). Prof. M. Dawam Rahardjo has just passed away," the chairman of the Indonesia Moslem Scholars Association (ICMI) and also his close friend, Jimly Asshidiqie, said in a text message while calling for prayers for him.

Dawam Rahardjo was known as a Moslem economist and scholar and ICMI chairman from 2015-2020.

A number of national figures have expressed condolences through Twitter social media.

Presidential special staff for economic affairs Erany Yustika through her Twitter account @ahmarerany expressed her deep condolences over his death.

She said Dawam was a great thinker, syrong activist and tireless empowerment figure.

"One of his dreams is realizing `Pancasila Village`," she said.

National economist Rizal Ramli had also expressed condolences saying that Dawam Rahardjo was a populist economist, Moslem scholar and pluralism figure.

He said Dawam Rahardjo was never afraid when some Muslims criticized him over his defense to a minority group.

Reported by Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga

Reporter: Yos
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
Copyright © ANTARA 2018