It is a fact that speaking about NU is inseparable from  speaking about pesantren and its all values and traditions  respectively. Factual-empirically, the majority of pesantren  are gathered under the Nahdlatul Ulama and of course  some of them have also been managed by  Muhammadiyah. Therefore, in order to know what is the  style and color of pesantren, we may observe them through character of the exponent of pesantren. For example, KH Hasyim Asyari who is also the founder of the Nahdliyin-based organization, or KH Ahmad Dahlan, the founder of  Muhammadiyah. 

<>Public has been familiar enough to their character and  commitment toward the matters of community and nation. Of course their deeds within the aspect of education,  social, culture, economic and politic were actualized into the deep understanding toward doctrine and norms within  the affluent scientific literature of each organization. 

What is important to note is that NU has been in a  platform, to show Islam as blessing for the universe  (rahmatan lil 'alamin) by such characteristics as tawasut (moderate), tasamuh (tolerant), i'tidal (straight) and  musawah (equality). Its objective is the creation of justice,  Law supremacy, dan people’s welfare within the frame of  good governance.

All these characteristics, as for me, should constantly be  possessed by NU figures for these are emanated from the  understanding of pesantren circles like kiai (clerics) toward  texts within the Koran and Hadits (Prophet traditions), and  ulema (Muslim scholars) sources in the field of theology,  fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and tasawwuf (mysticism)  which are contextual, methodological, and historical.

Unfortunately, in the last ten years, there have been many  NU figures involving themselves in various political activities  like in regional head elections and so on. Their involvement   in the practical politics, as quoted by the Jakarta Post  recently, would possibly "plunge the NU deeper into the  political pit."

Admitted or nor, the image of NU has considerably been  tarnished by a number of NU figures for, again and again,  involving themselves in the national political arena. Not  surprisingly, following the direct involvement of the NU  figures, there was a call from some NU followers for the  figures to pay more attention to public service related to  social, education, economic and religious affairs.

Observing this scene, there has been a big power aimed at  plunging the NU into a disaster, namely power politics.  Let's take a look at the 2004 elections for instance, there  were many from within and outside the NU criticizing the  direct involvement of NU ulema and clerics (kiai) in political  practices within political parties. Some argued that both  ulema and kiai should ideally focus only on religious and  social fields.

The reason is simple that the ulema and kiai's area is  sacred and has a prophetic moral dimension without any  ambitions as possessed by all political parties. Ironically, there were many NU ulema and kiai being campaigners for political parties. As a result, they could again be trapped into the logics of politics vulnerably manipulating the ummah (people) for political interests.

Their involvement in the political arena could of course give impacts to the performance of the organization. The enchantment of power made some of the NU elites put aside the Islamic values adopted by the organization. 

As a result, not surprisingly if there has now been a tendency from within the Nahdliyin themselves that NU is an appropriate means of, at least, pursuing political interests or accumulating wealth.

Now, the much-awaited congress should be a momentous event for NU in formulating its big agenda related to efforts of developing such fields as education, economy, social and so on. 

NU should be able to play its important roles as a civil society organization by, again, involving itself in the public sphere by mainly concentrating at the level of social and cultural politics--differentiated from power politics that focuses on the efforts to secure and concentrate on political power. In this regard, the NU can be involved in strengthening the roots of the national political life, that is, by internalizing civic virtues.

The writer is journalist of the NU Online news portal