Indonesian Muslim Scholar Sets Up Islamic Boarding School In U.S

YOGYAKARTA, Nov 30 (Antara) - An Indonesian Muslim scholar, Muhammad Syamsi Ali, has set up an Islamic boarding school called Pesantren Nusantara Almadina in the United States as a means to propagate Islam and make Indonesia well known abroad. "I have pushed myself to open an Islamic boarding school in the United States because I want to answer my own question of why Islam in America is not famous," he said at a discussion entitled "Islam in America" organized by the Indonesian Islamic University (UII) here Thursday (Nov 29). Syamsi Ali said the main task of a Muslim is to preach. "A preach should be carried out by showing our Islam, being honest in Islam, like when we are inside a mosque and outside a mosque," said Syamsi Ali, who is also an Imam at the Islamic Center of New York, the United States. According to him, Islam should be propagated not only in Indonesia or other Islamic countries, but also all over the world. Islam has spread across the world, including in the United States. "Islam arrived in America before Columbus discovered the continent. This was evidenced by a lot of Arabic-language writings engraved on the mountains in Colorado," he noted. Saymsi Ali explained that the development of Islam in America began when Chinese Muslims landed in American through the China Sea expedition. The second phase of Islam entering America was via African slaves. A history tells that one of the slaves from West Africa defended his faith although many people forced him to leave Islam. "Then, the spread of Islam in America continued with the arrival of Muslims from the Middle East. Indeed, Islam in America has been very long," the graduate of Muhammadiyah Darul-Arqam Islamic Boarding School in Makassar, South Sulawesi, said. Syamsi Ali explained that when he was entrusted with the task of becoming an Imam at the Islamic Center of New York, he started to carry out his duty by building communication with the administrations, followers of other religions, and the local community. "One point that should be realized by Muslims today is our inability to live alone in the midst of globalization that continues to grow rapidly. Therefore, we need to collaborate and therefore, I build communication with all people in America," Syamsi Ali said.