Rector Attend Japanese Ambassador Award Reception for Din Syamsudin

Jakarta, UIN News Online – Ushuluddin Faculty Professor of UIN Jakarta, Prof Dr Din Syamsuddin Receives Kyokujitsu-shō (The Order of Rising Sun, Gold, and Silver Star) Award from the Japanese Government, Tuesday (11/6/2018) at Tokyo Imperial Palace, Japan. As a form of appreciation, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi Ishii invited Din Syamsuddin and Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis for a dinner at Ambassador Official Residence, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta on Friday (01/18/2019).

In his speech, Masafumi said the award was given for Din Syamsudin's contribution in encouraging tolerance as well as understanding between Islamic communities in Indonesia and Japanese society.

“We are very proud to give this award to Din Syamsuddin who worked in encouraging the mutual understanding between Japan and Indonesia,” said Masafumi.

He also added that the Kyokujitsu-shō Award was held on November 6, 2018. After attending the award ceremony, Din held an audience with Japanese Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace of Japan.

According to Masafumi, Din as one of Indonesia's Islamic leaders has also taken part in a number of interfaith cooperation dialogues. One of them is the implementation of the World Peace Forum (WPF).

Din also played an active role in encouraging the invitation program for the Pesantren’s teacher to continue their study in Japan. He also contributes in the Halal food ratification program in Japan. This program has been held by the Japanese government since 2004.

He also added that during 2018, there is an increasing number of Indonesian tourists who travelled to Japan. “For the first time, the number of Indonesian tourists has reached 400,000 in 2018. With the presence of halal food, this makes it easy for Indonesian Muslim tourists in selecting appropriate food,” he added.

For information, this award was the second award for Din Syamsuddin after previously received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation award in September 2016. From 2017 to 2018, the Indonesian government trusted Din to assume the position of Special Envoy for Dialogue and Cooperation between Religion and Civilization.

Meanwhile, Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis gives her appreciation for the award earned by Din Syamsuddin. She hopes that the entire academic community of UIN Jakarta will be motivated to give positive contribution on both national and international scale in accordance with their respective expertise. (usa)