Pringsewu, NU Online
General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siroj, popularly known as Kang Said, called on all NU board members ranging from sub-village to central levels to nurture the next generation in addressing the need of life in all of its aspects especially the religious ones.<>

"Strong religion is not by shouting Allahu akbar, it is in the sense of the mastery and understanding in the field of science," he said on the sidelines of an inauguration of board members of NU Pringsewu  at the NU headuqarters, Pringsewu, on Tuesday (28/4).

The cleric earning a doctorate degree from the University of Umm Al-Qura Mecca explained that the understanding of science, especially religion, was not only from the Quran and hadith like that propagated by several groups with the slogan "return to the Qur'an and the hadith".

"It is impossible to understand Islam only with the Quran and Hadith. It is in need of so-called ijma' (ulema consensus) and qiyas to explain the meaning contained in it because in the Qur'an and hadith there are things that need to be interpreted," he explained.

In addition, Kang Said also called for the importance of nationalism in life, especially in dealing with the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Arab Muslim scholars have not been able to unite in regard with their nationalism in their Muslim-majority country.

"This is different from Indonesia. Ulema in Indonesia," Kang Said added, "could provide peaceful atmosphere to the people so that if there is a possible conflict, it could be dealt with instead of expanding into the national conflict."

"Islam and nationalism are mutually reinforcing, talk homeland first and then talk religion," he said.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq