Kiai Sahal: Pancasila as final choice

Jakarta. NU Online
Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Sahal Mahfudz said as a religious organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) since its establishment has emphasized the values of Islamic laws (syariah) to be implemented in daily life.

“NU has concluded that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) constitutes a final form for Indonesia,” kiai Sahal said before participants of National Assembly and Major Conference of NU at Surabaya’s Kertajaya Sports Arena on Friday (28/7).

According to the leader of Islamic Boarding “Pesantren” School Maslahatul Huda, located in Pati, Central Java, the existence of formal institution was not a guarantee to realize the values of Islamic Law (syariah) within society.

“NU has initially promoted Islamic teachings without imposing formalistic terms, moreover by colliding itself into formally reality, but through a moderate way,” he added.

He cited that NU has born and developed with its own characteristic and cultures. It has boosted accommodative measures toward any religious school of thought. It has also never put aside the values of local cultures.

“NU has acculturated and interacted positively with local traditions and cultures as well. The acculturation process has produced the friendly Islam addressing local cultural values and appreciated the difference of religion, tradition, and faith, that become nusantara’s legacies,” said kiai Sahal. 

He also pointed out that NU should be able to implement the sacred religious teachings within the context of profane cultures. It can also prove that the“universality of Islam can be implemented without putting aside local cultures,” he said. (mkf)