Halal bil Halal at the University

O.K., where to begin with another amazing morning.  This may take several blogs!  We were invited to a combination opening convocation, end of Ramadan, "Halal bil Halal" at the university where we will be teaching. The Arabic phrase means, "I forgive you and I ask your forgiveness."  To my surprise (and slight discomfort), I and Bob were asked to be guests of honor in the very front, right next to the Rector of the University.  At first, he seemed quite formal and stiff, but as we sat together, along with his two adorable four and five -year-old boys and wife, we began opening up to each other, and despite the loudspeaker blaring a Muslim singer of "soft rock," we had a fascinating conversation.  We heard what the organization that founded this school was about:  social welfare, education, and health care.  he was proud to say that Muhammadiyah (the name of one of the two major Muslim organizations in Indonesia) has founded schools of higher learning all over Indonesia, as one of their primary focuses.  They also have about a hundred hospitals, and he commented that when this organization was founded, 1912, they got the idea from the Catholic missionaries who were here.  He stressed the idea that they were "non-partisan," serving everyone.  He agreed that diversity was important.  He learned on a tour of American universities what building a great university would entail, so took this school from about 800 students 12 years ago to the 20,000 it has today. 
 Our conversation also involved the nature of Islam in Indonesia, and he remarked at one point that "we are all Sufis."  yet, he drew a distinction between his Muslim organization and the other leading one here ("N.U.), in that this one is more modernist, interested in reform.  At one point, he said we follow Muhammad directly, thus Muhammadiyah; we are not "followers." This was to point out that the other organization, the more traditionalist one, is founded on the principle of a charismatic leader, called a "kyai," and hundreds of followers.
Following a beautiful recitation (i.e., singing) of a Koranic passage, the Rector spoke to the assembled faculty and staff and their families. After another speaker and what appeared to be a sermon by an imam, all rose and passed by the main party in greeting. It was a beautiful gesture of community and halal.
 We joined a group in the rector's tent for a fine Indonesian meal and fellowship. We met colleagues and those studying from Spain, Germany and Australia. What a wonderful experience of hospitality, friendliness, and a family atmosphere that made us feel truly welcomed and valued!