Ulemas have an important role in protecting not only Islam and its adherents, but also the nation and the state.
By
·3 minutes read
Ulemas have an important role in protecting not only Islam and its adherents, but also the nation and the state.
The ulemas’ thoughts on religious issues are very necessary in responding to the national condition today. They play a huge role in contributing to the efforts of developing Indonesia as a dignified and cultured nation.
Their role and responsibility were evident during the Great Conference and National Assembly of the Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Islamic organization, which was held from Thursday (23/11) to Saturday (25/11) in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened the event on Nov. 23.
Indonesia is a place for all elements of the nation who have promised to live in peace, mutual respect and mutual care. Indonesia is fortunate to have ulemas that are firm nationalists, so that it is irrelevant to debate national ideology in this pluralistic society. On the other hand, work needs to be done on many other, more urgent matters to improve the life of Indonesians, from society, politics, economics, and culture to matters of law.
The national concept is closely linked with and interconnected to religious ideology. This concept will experience ebbs and flows depending on how we, as its followers, foster it. If we preserve and protect it continuously, it will grow strong. On the other hand, if we continuously undermine these religious and national ideologies, they may be overwhelmed by other ideologies lurking in the shadows.
Therefore, we need to fully support Nahdlatul Ulama’s national conference and assembly in Lombok. The forum will discuss the actual religious issues (bahtsul masail) with respect to the nation to protect the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (the national motto, Unity in Diversity).
As individuals who have mastered all aspects of religious knowledge, including faith (akidah), sharia and virtue (akhlak), ulemas must devote themselves fully to serving the people by guiding, developing and nurturing their spiritual welfare to help them find happiness both in life and in the afterlife.
The forum reaffirms the ulemas’ commitment to the nation. There is no agenda, whether apparent or ulterior, that can undermine the NKRI, or one that can replace the national foundation of Pancasila. We hope the forum will result in major decisions, in a repeat of those made 20 years ago at Nahdlatul Ulama’s Great Conference and National Assembly in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. That forum determined that women could serve as leaders, and that human rights would be approached according to ahlus sunnah wal jamaah – or in accordance with the sunna of the Prophet Muhammad.