NU’s Efforts for ‘Indonesian-ness’

On 16 Rajab 1444 H of the Islamic calendar, or Tuesday (7/2/2023), Nahdlatul Ulama turns 100 years old. The organization is determined to play a greater role at the national and global levels.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Nahdliyin (NU followers) perform the dawn prayer before the peak reception of the One Century Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Sidoarjo, East Java, Tuesday (7/2/2023) early morning.

Since its founding by KH Hasyim Asy’ari, KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah and KH Bisri Syansuri, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has colored the life of the nation and state in Indonesia. A poll by Kompas Litbang, the research arm of Kompas daily, showed that 81.1 percent of respondents believed that NU, in its century-old age, will make major contributions to the development and progress of the nation.

Efforts to uphold inter-religious tolerance were also noted by the public as one of NU’s most important achievements, which was conveyed by 76.7 percent of respondents. A majority of the respondents (73.4 percent) also deemed NU played an important role in upholding diversity and tolerance.

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The Litbang Kompas poll reaffirmed NU’s progress and contributions thus far, as the country’s largest religious organization, in maintaining tolerance and diversity. The organization’s role has become increasingly crucial amid threats of radicalization and intolerance, both of which have been exacerbated as of recent due to hoaxes amid the rapid spread of information.

Diversity is a necessity in Indonesia and aligns with our country’s motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” which means unity in diversity. It is an easy motto to memorize, but it takes great effort to put into practice.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Nahdliyin (NU followers) carry a flag while participating in a ritual in order to welcome the peak reception of the One Century Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Sidoarjo, East Java, Tuesday (7/2/2023) early morning.

NU, with strengths such as the understanding of religion, the maturity and breadth of knowledge of its kiai (religious scholars) and their leaders, as well as its networks throughout the country, is loyal to maintaining ‘Indonesian-ness’. In fact, on various occasions, they have confronted those with differing views.

Take KH Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid for example, a prominent NU figure and also the country’s fourth president. Gus Dur made efforts to settle matters on how to practice Islam. However, this was met with mixed responses from the public.

One of Gus Dur’s most well-known statements was when he said “Islam did not come to transform our ancestral culture into Arabic culture. We absorb its teachings, not its culture.” This statement conveys going against the current trends in a time period but is often widely misunderstood.

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The senior kiai who looks after the Roudlatut Thalibin Islamic boarding school in Rembang, KH Mustofa Bisri, admitted that Gus Dur was a controversial figure. In a collection of his writings titled Koridor, Gus Mus, as kiai Mustofa is known, wrote “Gus Dur is a 24-carat controversial figure. The people’s attitudes toward him, excluding those who are used to tawassuth wal i'tidaal (being in the middle), are divided into two: groups that seek justification and groups that judge negatively.”

That was how Gus Dur and NU were. In order to maintain diversity and tolerance in our country, NU figures must always voice their opinions in a straightforward and assertive manner, while still taking a deliberative approach in accordance with the growing culture in this country.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.