'NU is the talisman of religion and state'

Depok, NU Online
The organization of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) should be maintained, defended, and developed in accordance with its own principles  and able to keep up with the times. Because NU is the talisman of religion and state. In the hands of NU, there will be an atmosphere of so-called rahmatan lin nahdliyin, rahmatan lil muslimin and rahmatan lil indunisiyyin.<>

Chairman of the Advisory Board of NU NU KH Hasyim Muzadi made the remarks at an inauguration ceremony of NU institutions and committees in Depok, recently.

Members of the Depok's Branch Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) and hundreds of Nahdliyin (NU followers) present at the sports arena of the Islamic Education Foundation of Al-Muhtadin, Depok, solemnly listened to the religious sermon delivered by the leader of Pesantren Al-Hikam.

After congratulating the newly board members, Hasyim called on their committment in both maintaining and developing the country's largest Muslim organization.

According to the former General Chairman, NU has never insulted other other groups. While at the same time the Nahdliyin-based organization has most of the time become the target of any actions aimed at undermining the religious and social organization.

"Indonesia will become a blessing (to others), why? Because NU has the teachings of how to defend itself from some of the (misleading) views among fellow Muslims," he said.

In addition, Hasyim added, NU also had its own way on how to maintain both the aqidah and syariah without fighting with other people, including the followers of all religions.

"Most importantly, in the minds of NU it will never confront religion and the state. But we put the values of religion in the state, not textually but contextually (ma'nawiyah); not formally but substantially. So there will be a good relationship between religion and the state without confronting the state with religion or vice versa," he explained.

Hasyim argued, if Muslims outside Indonesia, especially in Arab and the Middle East could use the manhaj (system) of NU, there will never be a war.

"Muslims in our country is half the number of Muslims around the world. But we have never involved (ourserlves) in conflicts because there is (the organization of) NU here," he said.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq