NU under K.H. Said Aqil Siroj sought to bring together passion for Islam and the national spirit. Gus Yahya’s leadership is expected to mobilize a common struggle to strengthen democracy and tolerance in this country.
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KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
Kompas/Hendra A Setyawan
KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (left) kisses KH Said Agil Siroj's hand after voting in the 42nd Nahdlatul Ulama Conference at the University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung, Lampung, Friday (12/24/2021).
After going back and forth amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) finally held its 34th muktamar (national congress) from 22-24 Dec. 2021.
K.H. Miftachul Akhyar was elected the NU Rais Aam (supreme leader) for the 2021-2026 period, while K.H. Yahya Cholil Staquf was elected chairman of the tanfidziyah (executive board), replacing K.H. Said Aqil Siroj. Responsibilities await the country’s largest Muslim organization, especially in dealing with national and global sociopolitical dynamics.
Founded in 1926, the organization has experience in navigating political waves. During the Old Order, NU was a part of the Masyumi political party. At the beginning of the New Order, NU joined the United Development Party (PPP), then withdrew and went back to its khitah (roots). During the 1998 Reformasi (reform), the leader of the mass organization founded the National Awakening Party (PKB).
Now, NU must ride a new political wave, the next challenge being the 2024 general elections. Having several notable cadres at the national level, the organization is at risk of being dragged into the presidential and vice-presidential contest. This will be tempting, because the NU has seen both a president and a vice president elected from its ranks, former president K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid and incumbent Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin.
BPMI - SETWAPRES
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin (center) with the chairman of the tanfidziyah (executive board) Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) for the period 2021-2026 KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (left) and Rais Aam (supreme leader) PBNU 2021-2026 KH Miftachul Akhyar at the closing of the 34th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress in Lampung, Friday (12/24). /2021).
In face of such temptation, NU has the capital to uphold moral politics to protect all groups. Consequently, the mass organization has tended not to choose sides when it comes to the presidential election, which often impacts internal relations of NU affiliates as well as the wider community.
It is interesting to observe K.H. Yahya “Gus Yahya” Cholil Staquf’s commitment to protect NU from the trap of politics. He emphasized that there would be no presidential and vice presidential candidates from NU. NU affiliates were, however, allowed to participate in the political contest as long as they did not hold high-level posts in the organization (Kompas, 26 Dec. 2021).
Another challenge that NU faces is the radicalization of religion. As interactions between global citizens are instantaneous, especially through social media, religious conflicts in other countries also permeate global lives. In Indonesia, these conflicts can ignite movements by groups that put themselves above the rest, negating other groups. It is these kinds of ideologies, especially if accompanied by coercive violence, that can destroy the commitment to develop Indonesia as a modern nation that respects pluralism.
By understanding the teaching of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaah (theological moderation), NU can continue to play a role in strengthening consolidated moderation in religious understanding. Indonesia is home to diverse ethnic groups, religions, race and tribal groups. NU under K.H. Said Aqil Siroj sought to bring together passion for Islam and the national spirit. Gus Yahya’s leadership is expected to mobilize a common struggle to strengthen democracy and tolerance in this country and in the global arena.
