REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has expressed hope that the santris (students) of Kauman Islamic Boarding School in Lasem, Rembang, Central Java, will help maintain multiculturalism by living in harmony with the ethnic Chinese community there.

"I am happy that multiculturalism in Lasem continues to be maintained; this is the wealth of Lasem, for Indonesia, and for all of us," he said in a press release from his office on Saturday.

On the same day, Amin attended the 52nd memorial event of K.H. Ma'shoem Ahmad, a prominent Islamic scholar, and the 101st anniversary event of Nahdlatul Ulama at Kauman Islamic Boarding School.

Built by the descendants of K.H. Ma'shoem Ahmad, the boarding school is known as "Little China" because of the strong influence of Chinese culture there. Until now, santris have lived in harmony with the local Chinese community in the area.

Amin said that the interaction between Muslims and the ethnic Chinese community in Lasem predates Indonesia's independence.

"Acculturation has happened here (Lasem) between the santri community and the Chinese community. This area has been described as a tolerant area since the 16th and 17th centuries," he added.

According to him, the multicultural concept that has been upheld persistently in the area has also made Indonesia known to the world for its tolerance.

"This is probably what inspires (the world) so that Indonesia is now known as the most tolerant country in the world," he said.

Meanwhile, Kauman Islamic Boarding School’s management staff, K.H. Moch. Zaim Ahmad Ma’shoem, said that there has been tolerance between the Muslim and Chinese communities in Lasem since the time they fought together against the Dutch colonists in 1740.

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