NU chairman: Silatul arham, silatul afkar, silatul a’mal, silatul arwah

Jakarta, NU Online
General chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siroj said halal bihalal is a typical culture of Islam of the Archipelago (Islam Nusantara) that is not found in any part of the world, including the birthplace of Islam, Arab. Halal bihalal is a cultural product and is important to strengthen religious values.

He was of the opinion that the phenomenon was the creativity and clarity of the earlier ulema (Muslim scholars), saying that culture must be the infrastructure for the growth of religion.

"Religion is not strong without culture. Culture has no value without religion," he said in the Halal Bihalal event held at the NU headquarters, Jakarta, Friday (7/7).

The kiai (cleric) born in Cirebon said that halal bihalal was a culture initiated by the prominent figure KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah when asked by Sukarno in 1948 about the way of uniting the political elites who are at odds. When advised to organize so-called silaturahim, Sukarno wanted another "unusual" term.

According to Kiai Said, the halal bihalal culture contributes greatly in preserving kinship or brotherhood (silatul arham). He then compared with other countries in Europe not really caring about this relationship.

He explained, besides silatul arham, other important aspects should also be taken into account, namely silatul afkar, an effort to come to shared perception; Silatul a'mal or building network of cooperation; And silatul arwah or "communicating" with the dead by among others coming to their graves and praying for them and the like.

The lalal bihalal gathering was attended by all board members of NU, heads of NU autonomous bodies, a number of state officials, and people in general. Also present on this occasion were Minister of Labor Hanif Dhakiri, former Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar, and a number of other officials. (Mahbib/Masdar)