Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siroj (Kang Said) said the indigenous people of the archipelago had long accepted the presence of various 'imported' religions in harmony. Differences existing among the belief systems had not caused any turmoil.<>

According to Kang Said, today's process of modernization and its impacts of people's daily lives, have become frequent causes of any dispute and conflict among the people. In fact, history records the turn of religions, ranging from the so-called Kapitayan, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, to Christianity, in the archipelago could run peacefully.

"We are now facing tremendous challenges from both the right and the left ones," he said while inaugurating the two flagship programs related to the economic empowerment of theNahdlatul Ulama Institute for Mosque Management (LTMNU) in Jakarta, on Friday (26/7).

On the left side, Indonesia has to meet the globalization threats posed by liberal cultures. While on the right side, the religious extremism tends to be rigid and anti-change, Kang said added.

"Once it (culture) is coming to our culture, then we must be careful. Because it can cause us to lose the national culture, character, and identity," he told some 100 LTMNU board members.

Kang Said called on Muslims to keep maintaining the harmony that is now being challenged. As a filter, NU must still adhere to the motto of al-muhafadhat 'alal qadimis shalih wal akhdzu bil jadidil ashlah (maintaining old good ways and embracing new better ways).

The man earning doctorate degree from Umm Al-Qura University of Mecca also was of the opinion, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Companions and scholars of their followers, the reference of truth to a figure has no longer existed. The only way that could be used as the reference is ulema (Muslim scholars).

Reporting by Mahbib Khoiron; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq