Kudus, NU Online
The long history of struggle shown by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) is a historical fact because the two were founded by Muslim scholars (ulema) in addition to having the same mission, especially in the fight for the nation's independence.<>

Chairman of Gebog's NU chapter KH Ibrahim Kholili made the remarks on the sidelines of a religious gathering at Pesantren Tahfidzul Qur'an Rohmatillah, Jurang village, Kudus, Central Java, on Sunday (9/6).

KH Ibrahim said, pesantren were educational institutions successfully producing and nurturing students to have strong faith and scientific knowledge. While NU, he added, had also strengthened its followers to be able to maintain and preserved the teachings of Ahlussunnah Islam wal-Jamaah (Aswaja).

"Historically, the leaders of NU that are also the leaders of pesantren could become pioneers in gaining independence from colonial powers. This is what makes the two iseparable," he said.

But today, KH Ibrahim continued, there had been a shift in the people thinking towards pesantren because many people have now paid no more attention to the educational institutions founded by the NU leaders.

"In the past, people had the pride for enrolling their children children in pesantren, but now they have no special attention anymore. Consequently, the longer the pesantren exist the sooner they lose their soul," he said wistfully.

Seeing this condition, he called on Nu followers (Nahdliyin) to enroll their children in pesantren or madrassa (Islamic schools).

Reporting by Qomarul Adil; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq