NU told to increase its organizational role

Surabaya, NU Online
As a religious organization, in addition to focusing on religious practics and rituals, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, should also increase its organizational roles.<>

The Advisory Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Masdar F. Mas'udi made the remarks as speaking at a meeting held by the East Java's NU Regional Board (PWNU) in Surabaya.

"NU which was established by Mbah Hasyim (KH Hasyim Asy'ari, read) is jam'iyah or organization. If it still focuses on religious gatherings, NU has yet to be anywhere. Never simplify NU as a merely event organizer," Masdar said. 

Present at the occasion were NU figures such as KH Anwar Iskandar, Katib Syuriah KH Hasyim Abbas, KH Ali Masyhuri (Gus Ali), Prof Dr Shonhaji and Prof Dr Istibsyaroh.

In the forum, Masdar said that NU had two main agenda namely al muhafadzatu alal qadimis sholih wal ahdzu bil jadidil aslah (Maintain that which is old and good, and embrace that which is new and better) 

The implementation of the first, he added, was by preserving tradition and building strong arguments in regard with tahlil, istighotsah and many other religious practices.

Masdar said that Nahdliyin (NU followers) should greatly appreciate the efforts of NU clerics that have written religious justifications in dealing with the NU religious beliefs and practices.

While in terms of the second agenda (al ahdzu bil jadidil aslah), Masdar said that NU had given its big contribution to the nation in upholding the independence of the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"The national political agenda in 1916 was by establishing the Nahdlatul Wathon. In this respect, there was no (any organization) giving the very decisive contribution except NU. For instance as struggling for independence, the clerics (kiai) of pesantren (Islamic boarding school) from the grassroot level could maintain the unity and the endurance of the NKRI," he said.

"In October 1945, NU held a national meeting of ulema yielding a fatwa (edict) in regard with jihad. If there was no the fatwa, it was really impossible knowing the 10 November heroism by all the nation's elements including (the involvement of) clerics and santri," he added.

In a congress in Cipanas in 1954 NU also rejected DI/TII urging to change the NKRI be NII (Indonesian Islamic State) and impeach Soekarno as a president of RI and defended Pancasila as a national ideology from communism in 1965, Masdar said. 

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq