Rais Aam: Halal bihahal as NU momentum to do its best services

Jakarta, NU Online
The Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) on Friday (7/7) night held the so-called halal bihalal in the 8th floor auditorium of NU Building, Jalan Kramat Raya 164, Jakarta. The gathering which was held in lesehan (by sitting on the floor) was attended by NU board members, heads of NU autonomous bodies, a number of state officials, and Nahdlyin in general.

In front of the audience, the Supre Leader (Rais' Aam) of NU KH Ma'ruf Amin said that NU was obliged to unite the Indonesian nation, by uniting Nadliyin in particular and and all muslims in general. He hoped the halal bihalal event to be a means of developing organizational devotion.

"We make the atmosphere of Eid al-Fitr to improve our performance in the future," Kiai Ma'ruf said.

According to him, Indonesia had now been disturbed by the emergence of radical groups. He called two radical types, religious radicals and secular radicals. Both are not suitable for Indonesia because this country is not a religious state nor a secular one.

Citing the views of Imam al-Ghazali, Kiai Ma'ruf said the state was formed because of the relationship of mutual need or interdependence. This condition has become the original human character that must be maintained.

Kiai Ma'ruf also mentioned about the halal bihalal tradition which is typical of Indonesia. In the Arab grammar, the the phrase halal bihalal is unknown. Because the correct term, according to him, is istihlal (asking for halal) and ihlal. For Indonesians, however, the term halal bihalal is easier to pronounce.

Also present on this occasion were general chairman of NU KH Said Aqil Siroj, Minister of Labor Hanif Dhakiri, former Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar, and a number of other officials. (Mahbib/Masdar)