Yogyakarta, NU Online
Broad knowledge of clerics (kiai) in Indonesia has become one of the fundamental instruments in addition to the politicians' access to power and the investors' wealth affecting social change in the country. Unlike the last two, the first instrument could not be obtained instantly instad of being purchased.<>

Member of the Expert Council of Nahdlatul Ulama Scholars Association (ISNU) Yudi Latif made the remarks at a national workshop that takes up issues on "Pesantren Ulema and Intellectuals" the Yogyakarta's Hajj Dormitory Haryono on Tuesday (6/5).

"The capital of culture or knowledge of clerics is not obtained with much material capital. Kiai becoming a cleric is not easy. Day after day they used to study and practice their knowledge," Yudi Latif said.

According to him, the pesantren ulema have great power in society thanks to their wisdom and piety. Therefore, they have a strong social power to control and provide directions to possible changes.

"The capital of power is very effective for monitoring the government in addition to advocating for the rights of citizens," Yudi added.

Therefore, Yudi continued, the clerics of NU in the Indonesianess context were expected to be capable of voicing criticism to maintain the balance of influences brought by politicians,  financiers, or the pressure of the majority.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq