Cirebon, NU Online
As the emergence of many new Islamic groups which doubt the religious traditions in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has remained committed to realizing an intelligent Islamic society. The characteristics of an intelligent Islamic society is being able to distinguish between religious laws and cultures. At this point, NU should occupy such position as an organization being capable of accommodating and respecting the local cultures.<>

The leader of Pesantren Candang Pinggan, Indramayu, KH Syakur Yasin, made the remarks on the sidelines of a seminar on Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah held by the Cirebon's Ansor Youth Movement at Pesantren Majelis Tarbiyah Hidayatul Mubtadiin (MTHM) Ketitang Cirebon on Friday (28/6).

"There are so many groups that criticize even underestimate the religious traditions in Indonesia, they are easy to call heresy to something for not being taught by Prophet (Muhammad PBUH). This is the characteristic of the Muslim community that is not smart," he said adding that smart Muslims should know the difference between the Islamic laws and cultures, "NU should therefore remain an intelligent organization being able to accommodate the local cultures."

Furthermore he explained that the definition of Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jama'ah adopted by NU should be based on the preservation of local cultural traditions. Moreover there have been non-NU groups that also claim themselves as the Aswaja groups, but in fact they still called Muslims infidels for still preserving local cultural traditions having so far been cherished for generations.

"NU should not define Aswaja in a diffcult-to-grasp understanding," he said, adding that there had been many embracing Aswaja as their religious principle by still calling their fellow Muslims as infidels. Whereas all this is not in line with the history of the birth of Aswaja as a school of thought that takes moderate ways.

"(While) Aswaja (propagated by) NU is such an understanding that respects such traditions as tahlil, marhabanan, Muludan, and so on," kiai Syakur added.

The seminar inundated by hundreds of participants was to commemorate the death of such ulema (Muslim scholars) as KH Salwa Yasin, KH Asror Hasan, KH Adnan Amin, and the 35th examination (imtihan) of Pesantren MTHM Ketitang, Cirebon. Present also at the occasion were Dr. KH Wawan Arwani Syaerozie, Prof. Dr. KH Chozin Nasuha, and chairman of GP Ansor of Cirebon, KH Faris Fuad Hasyim.

Reporting by Sobih Adnan; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq