NU: Islam must strengthen nationalism

Medan, NU Online
General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siradj, pupolarly known as Kang Said, said that the founder of NU KH Hasyim Ashari had the vision and mission to build ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood) synergistic with ukhuwah wathoniyah (nationalism).<>

"That means Islam must be strengthened with the spirit of nationalism and nationalism must be the values ​​and the spirit of Islam," said Kang Said when   delivering a speech at the opening of the NU pre-33rd congress  at Pesantren Al-Kautsar Al-Akbar, Jl. Pelajar Timur, Medan, on Sunday (17/5).

Present at the occasion were, Rais' Aam (General Chairman of Lawmaking Body) of NU KH Mustafa Bisri, Chairman of the Steering Committee (SC) of NU 33rd Congress KH Slamet Effendy Yusuf, Chairman of the Organizing Committee (OC) KH Imam Aziz, Secretary General of NU Marsudi Syuhud, leader of Pesantren Al Kautsar Al-Akbar Sheikh H Ali Akbar Marbun, North Sumatra Governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho, Vice Governor HT Erry Nuradi, Bukit Barisan Military Commander Major General Edy Rahmayadi, North Sumatra Police chief Insp Gen Eko Hadi Sutedjo, Air Defense Operation Commader  III Marsma Arif Mustafa, and Member of Parliament H Marwan Dasopang.

Also present were the Mayor of Medan HT Dzulmi Eldin, Regent of Deli Serdang H Ashari Tambunan, Mayor of Sibolga H Syarfi Hutauruk, Mayor of  Tanjung Balai H Thamrin Munthe, leaders of social organizations, religious community leaders of North Sumatra, Muslimat NU, Fatayat NU, and groups of so-called majlis taklim (religious gathering).

Kang Said also said that those who did not have a homeland, would not have a history. Therefore, history is written on the homeland. Those who did not have a history, would be forgotten. That is why, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Medina because he wanted to build a homeland.

"Secure first homeland, then talk about Islam. It is impossible to propagate the Islamic teachings if the homeland is not safe," he said, expressing his surprise that there were organizations continuing to speak about Islam, but never mentioning the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). They seem to build the country on the wind.

Inaugurating UNUSU rector

Before delivering a speech at the opening of the pre-NU 33rd congress meeting, Prof. Said Aqil Siroj had inaugurated Prof Dr Ahmad Rafiki Tantawi as the rector of the Nahdlatul Ulama University of North Sumatra (UNUSU) for the period 2015-2020.

UNUSU, he said, was established by the Education Minister Decree No. 576 on October 17, 2014.

"UNUSU is the NU 24th university established in Indonesia. It is purely owned by NU, not a foundation," said Said Aqil.

The UNUSU newly appointed rector Prof. Ahmad Rafiki Tantawi said, he had  coordinated and gotten support from Kopertis I Sumatra related to the establishment of the private universities.

"However, this support is not enough because it must be confronted with the demands of internal quality in accordance with the on the Regulation of Ministry of Education and Culture Republic of Indonesia No. 49/2014 on on National Standard of Higher Education," he said.

Also delivering their speeches on this occasion were the Governor of North Sumatra, H Gatot Pujo Nugroho, Chairman of North Sumatra Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU), H Afifuddin Lubis, KH Slamet Effendy Yusuf, and Rais 'Aam KH Mustafa Bisri. (Masdar)