Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The British government has awarded Prof Dr Azyumardi Axra, former rector of Jakarta-based Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN), the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE ).

British Ambassador to Indonesia Martin Hatull presented the honor on behalf of Queen Elizbeth II to Azyumardi at a ceremony at his residence in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Hatfull said on the occasion his government was decorating Azyumardi for his important contributions to the establishment of inter-faith dialogue and good relations between the Indonesian and British peoples.

"We give this award to Prof. Azra because of his dedication and loyalty when he was one of the leaders of the UK-Indonesia Islamic Advisory Council which was formed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in March 2006," the ambassador said.

He said this was the first time the title was given to an Indonesian while previously it was only accorded to Britons or people from the British Commonwealth.

Hatfull said the UK-Indonesia Islamic Advisory Council had conducted several programs both in the UK and in Indonesia to cultivate good relations between Islamic and non-Islmaic peoples.

Azymardi meanwhile said "This award is not only given to me but also for UIN Jakarta and also the Muslim people of Indonesia who have always upheld peace and tolerance and thus been a model to the world."

The professor is an Islamic thinker with modern and down-to-earth views. He was rector of Syarif Hidayatullah State University for two terms (1998-2002 and 2002-2006) and is now director of Post graduate studies at UIN Jakarta.

The result of his thinking was published in more than 15.000 books. "I just want to build and create good relations between Islamic and non-Islamic people, of course, with the support of my country," he said.

He said he wanted to create new Islamic concepts that were modern, rational, democratic and tolerant. He said knowledge of Islam and general knowledge could be blended into new concepts.

Beside Prof Azymardi, the CBE title was also awarded to a few personalities from other countries, namely Dan Sten Olsson (UK) in the field of economy, Giuseppe Orsi (UK) in the filed of defense and Prof Dr Jurgen Karl Erich Schlaeger (Germany) in the field of Anglo-Germany relations.(*)

Editor: Heru

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