Anniversary Momentum

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS PBNU

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Said Aqil Siroj together with PBNU Secretary General Helmy Faishal Zaini (right) and Chairman of Tanfidziyah PBNU Robikin Emhas conveyed their reflection on the end of 2020 and hopes for 2021, 29 December 2020.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Islamic community organization in the country, commemorated its 95th anniversary. The commemoration was held during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The anniversary celebration was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. President Joko Widodo in his speech appreciated the role of NU, which was initiated by KH Hasyim Asy\'ari in 1917 in national development. The role of NU needs to continue to be developed at a time when the Indonesian nation is facing many challenges.

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It has become a historical fact that NU was born before Indonesia declared its independence. Therefore, the journey of the nation cannot be separated from the work of NU in protecting the nation state, in caring for the nation\'s weaving.

On various social media platforms, NU\'s anniversary "celebrations" were held by various groups in the country. The virtual celebration indicates that the NU organization, and of course Muhammadiyah, have contributed a lot to this country. The two largest Islamic organizations have a big responsibility in protecting the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

The Indonesian nation as well as the nations of the world are facing historical coincidence. The emergence of an era of digital disruption that gives birth to a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) situation is still exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which could threaten the existence of the nation state. On social media, we find the phenomenon of unlimited freedom. In the virtual universe, people with questionable mess up the cohesiveness of the country\'s children.

The two largest Islamic organizations have a big responsibility in protecting the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

KOMPAS/ADI SUCIPTO K

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board KH Said Aqil Siradj during the commemoration of Nahdlatul Ulama 93th Anniversary Day at the Surajaya Lamongan Stadium, East Java Friday (29/3/2019).

Alissa Wahid in her essay in Kompas, Jan. 31, 2021, quoting Otto Scharmer, a professor at MIT, said that people were trapped in three patterns in responding to the situation. A voice of judgment (voice of judgment), a voice of cynicism and a voice of fear.

We see NU as a big house that can invite people to open minds through its preaching, open hearts to see existing social realities, and open the will to open wider spaces to live together and develop tolerance.

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NU and its tens of millions of members, and of course also Muhammadiyah, have a big role to play in filling the narrative emptiness, including narratives in the virtual universe. With the understanding of religious nationalism and religious moderation, it is hoped that NU will fill the emptiness of pacifying narratives and help bring the nation out of the crisis.

On the other hand, the government must invite NU and other mass organizations to sit together to discuss national problems. The ongoing crisis requires the cooperation between the government and elements of the nation to find solutions together as well.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.