Pesantren designed to galvanize NU cadres

Kediri, NU Online
The presence of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in regions has played their important role in galvanizing NU cadres since its official establishment in 1926. Since the beginning, the character of NU has been formed from pesantren.
 
Chairman of Syuriyah (lawmaking body) of the Kediri's NU Branch Board (PCNU) KH Zainuri Fakih made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting at Pesantren Sirojul Ulum Semanding Pare Kediri on Friday (17/4).<>

The meeting sponsored by the Kediri's Rabithah Ma'ahid Islamiyah (Pesantren association) and the Lajnah Ta'lif wan Nasr (research and development center) was attended by some 31 participants from pesantren across the regency.

"Do not be surprised if pesantren are invited in NU gatherings, they will come because since the beginning pesantren have been the place to train NU cadres," the leader of Pesantren Darussalam Sumbersari Kediri said.

In advance, Kiai Zainuri said, NU had also set up a special organization so-called as the Rabhitah Ma'ahid Islamiyah (RMI) as such a forum for pesantren. The establishment of the autonomous body was intended to focus on NU activities in pesantren.

The meeting was aimed at further cultivating the relationship between pesantren especially those which are located in Kediri. The forum also initiated the establishment of RMIs at subdistrict levels.

While deputy chairman of the PCNU KH Abu Musa Al Asy'ari said the presence of pesantren was inseparable from NU activities because those (santri) studying in pesantren are the children of Nahdliyin (NU followers).

"Pesantren is small NU while NU is a big pesantren," Kiai Abu Musa quoting the statement of one of NU founding fathers KH Wahab Chasbullah. (nam)