NU chairman honored as "champion of change"

Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siroj (Kang Said) was honored as the 2012 agent of change by a leading daily in the country, Rapublika. The award by the owner of PT Republika Media Mandiri, Erick Thohir, was held at the Jakarta Theater, Jakarta, Tuesday (30/4).<>

Kang Said delivered a speech in front of hundreds of attendees for 8 minutes. He said that in fact there had still been many other figures that are most worthy of the award.

"I am only an ordinary person who does not have any contribution to the people and this nation," he said, adding that the public recognition would make himself more committed to doing his best for the people and the nation.

Kang Said who was born in Kempek, Cirebon, West Java in 1953, explained, actually the change should not be given to anyone, but is it true that there is a change?

According to Kang Said, the question does not require a rhetorical answer, instead of being unswered in a speech.

"It is a question that can be answered only through earnest effort and endeavor, which can only be felt in everyday reality," he said.

He said that he had visited many places across the archipelago.

"Everywhere the question of "change" remains the same. Change for the dignity, towards the perfect man," he said, asking whether we have really changed or are changing towards betterment.

He then quoted the Quranic verse, "Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves(Surah Ar-Ra'du, 11).

"Islam teaches us to change for the better. And the word of God, of course, can encourage us to change for the better," he said.

The award was also given to the speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Taufik Kiemas and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto.

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq