Jakarta, NU Online

Based on historical facts that from the past until now the role of NU clerics (kiai) in maintaining the integrity of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia has been proven. Therefore, the General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) KH Said Aqil Siroj was of view that it would be impossible for NU clerics to have the intention to threaten the integrity of the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

 

"I'm sure that none of the NU clerics intends to rebel against the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, even though he is only a rural kiai," Kiai Said explained on the sidelines of the Haul for the Martyrs of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia which was broadcast live on the TVNU Youtube Channel, Thursday (19/8).

 

A number of historical traces are evidence of the loyalty of NU clerics to the nation. Kiai Said mentioned, KH Hasyim Asy'ari who was famous for his jargon hubbul wathan minal iman; The NU congress in 1936 in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan declared Indonesia was a peaceful state (Darus Salam), not Islamic state (Darul Islam); and the NU congress in Situbondo in 1984 confirmed that NU accepted the single principle of Pancasila.

 

In the forum which was also attended by KH Abdullah Kafabihi Mahrus, Kiai Said added, because of the strong nationalist spirit of the NU founder KH Hasyim Asy'ari, the jargon of hubbul wathan minal iman (nationalism is part of faith) is widely known, not only in Indonesia, but also many countries around the world.

 

“The jargon is recognized by world Muslim scholars. It is so popular, even it is regarded a hadith. Whereas it is the Mbah Hasyim's jargon," the leader of the Luhur Al-Tsaqafah Islamic Boarding School said.

 

Kiai Said explained, thanks to the services of the ulama (Muslim scholars), Indonesia had not become a secular state separating religious affairs from the state. Nor is it an Islamic state, which will threaten the integrity of Indonesia as a pluralistic nation.

 

Kiai Said regretted the fighters in the Middle East because many Muslim fighters are not nationalists despite being Muslim. On the other hand, many fighters were nationalists but not Muslims. As a result, the two parties did not find common ground and many conflicts occurred.

 

"It's different in Indonesia. Muslim fighters are also nationalists. Its sationalists  are also Muslim fighters. It's just us now, how to accept this very heavy trust. Let's protect and maintain the continuity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," the Cirebon-born cleric said.

 

Contributor: Muhammad Abror

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq