Jakarta, NU Online
For Indonesia, the 10 November 1945 battle was a heroic event that determines the fate of the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).<>

That means, if the resistance of the so-called Arek - Arek Suroboyo (Surabaya's young people) in taking a stand against the colonization of NICA troops through the 10 November 1945 battle did not exist, then the independence which was proclaimed on August 17, 1945 might never exist.

"But, the 10 November 1945 battle would never exist without the Jihad Resolution in the Bubutan village, Surabaya on October 22, 1945," said observer of the Jihad Resolution history, Drs H Choirul Anam.

The former Chairman of Ansor Youth Movement of Java was familiarly called Cak Anam proved the reality of the unwritten history of the Jihad Resolution in Surabaya through the historical search to uncover the role of NU clerics in upholding the KNRI.

"I had an honor for being able to meet KH Wahab Turchan (the founder of the NU Education and Social Foundation 'Khadijah', Wonokromo, Surabaya in the 1990s," he said on the sidelines of a workshop taking up the 'Revitalization of NU's Jihad Resolution' here over the weekend.

In fact, he said, KH Wahab Turchan participating in a meeting provided a number of documents about the meeting participants held on Jln. Bubutan, Surabaya, which is located not far from the Tugu Pahlawan, Surabaya.

"There were KH Hasyim Asy'ari and KH Wahab Chasbullah FROM the NU Headquarters, KH Masykur of Sabilillah, Zainal Arifin the Hezbollah commander, and about 200 Islamic scholars (ulema) from Java and Madura holding a meeting in Bubutan from 21-22 October 1945," he said.

Citing KH Wahab Turchan, he explained thatKH  Wahab Chasbullah was the founder of the National School 'Nahdlatul Wathon' in Surabaya and Zainal Arifin, a member of the House of Representatives who was shot during Eid al-Adha prayers along with Soekarno who is the real target of the shooter.

"The meeting of hundreds of clerics from Java and Madura is what gave birth to the Jihad Resolution that produces important decisions that the law against NICA invaders is fardlu ain (an individual obligation) and killed in the fight is a martyr," he said.

Cak Anam admitted the decition made by hundreds of the scholars and written by a newspaper of that era had pushed 60 million Muslims to be ready to wage jihad which was eventually known as the Battle of 10 November 1945 which is now celebrated as Heroes' Day.

In addition, he also found evidence that the history of Jihad resolution was also based on a verdict (fatwa) issued by Rais Akbar (Great Chairman) of NU KH Hasyim Asy'ari in the few days before that the law to fight against the NICA was fardlu ain, died in the fight against NICA is a martyr, and those that divide the union shall be killed.

"Well, such important event was not written in history, all this was probably due to the sincerity of the ulema or there might also be a deliberate distortion of history to highlight personal interests," he explained.

Moreover, the history of Jihad Resolution on October 22, 1945, taught the NKRI is not capitalist, communist and socialist country, but a country that protects religions, ethnics, and classes through the Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

"Apparently, the Jihad Resolution teaches the importance of diversity in upholding the NKRI and the importance of deliberation to build the nation, because the diversity and deliberation set out in the Pancasila are typical Indonesian 'tenets', not a capitalist -style democracy," he said.

Therefore, he did support the view of the Deputy General Chairman of  NU KH As'ad Said Ali that NU will develop or formulate "Jihad Resolution II" to restore the functions of the Assembly as the highest institution in charge of higher institutions, such as  president and parliament in addition to supporting the Heroes Day plan to be centered in Surabaya.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq