The Trajectory of Nahdlatul Ulama Awakening

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Rais Aam PBNU KH Miftachul Akhyar gives taujihat at the beginning of the commemoration of the One Century Nahdlatul Ulama at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Monday (20/6/2022). The theme of NU's one century is Empowering Nahdlatul Ulama to Take the Second Century Towards a New Awakening.

The celebration of its centennial is envisioned as an impetus to spark a new awakening for NU, so that its religious and social movements will be even more effective.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — In welcoming the centennial of Nahdlatul Ulama or NU on 16 Rajab 1444 Hijra or early February 2023, a series of activities are planned that affect the concrete daily affairs of the people. NU hopes the centenary celebration will become the impetus for a new awakening.

General chairman of the central executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, said PBNU along with regional and branch executive boards all over Indonesia was preparing a series of activities to welcome the centennial of NU in the beginning of February 2023. The series of programs is themed “Empowering Nahdlatul Ulama to Welcome the Second Century toward New Awakening”.

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“We earnestly hope the spirit of the Nahdlatul Ulama centennial will also be a force in the new awakening of Nahdlatul Ulama,” Yahya told a press conference to anticipate the centennial of NU in Jakarta on Monday (20/6/2022). A number of activities have been arranged for the anniversary such as those in the economic, legal and environmental sectors. According to Yahya, various activities are expected to affect the people’s concrete affairs in daily life.

These programs cover NU Tech, the formation of NU Women, the Festival of Islamic Traditions of the Indonesian Archipelago, awards for Nahdlah figures, the NU sports week, Religion of Twenty (R-20), the launch of the NU Independence movement, the Congress of Civilization Fiqh and an NU centennial reception.

Chairperson of the NU centennial executive committee, Yenny Wahid, said nine programs would be launched. These programs cover NU Tech, the formation of NU Women, the Festival of Islamic Traditions of the Indonesian Archipelago, awards for Nahdlah figures, the NU sports week, Religion of Twenty (R-20), the launch of the NU Independence movement, the Congress of Civilization Fiqh and an NU centennial reception.

Regarding R-20, it is quite simply a forum of religious leaders throughout the world; an additional activity of G20.

Separately contacted, PBNU chairman Amin Said Husni said the NU centenary commemoration is a historical milestone. He anticipates that in the second century, NU will awaken more fully, with increasingly effective religious and social movements.

“It can assume more significant roles, especially in preserving the harmonious life of Indonesian society as well as taking part and action in the international world,” added Amin.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Chief Steering Officer Erick Thohir, Secretary General of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Syaifullah Yusuf, PBNU General Chairperson KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, PBNU Rais Aam KH Miftachul Akhyar, PBNU Katib Aam KH Ahmad Said Asrori and Chair of the Organizing Committee Yenny Wahid (from left to right) take a group photo in front of the logo at the beginning of the Nahdlatul Ulama One Century commemoration at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Monday (20/6/2022).

He affirmed that this past 100 years has been a very long journey. Many uncertainties have been faced, not to mention the rapid changes taking place. Therefore, NU should jack up organizational consolidation and expand its cooperation networks on both national and global scales.

New civilization

Additionally, NU is re-actualizing the fundamental values so far serving as normative references of NU movements. This re-actualization will be adapted to current developments and challenges. “[NU] keeps campaigning for and striving to build a new civilization of greater dignity, which establishes values of humanity that appreciate diversity, respect differences and strive for equality,” Amin pointed out.

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Civil Muslim network coordinator Syukron Jamal said that as the centennial celebration passes and the organization grows stronger, NU should be able to respond to the challenge of preserving moderate religious traditions, providing protection amid the growing Islamic populism leaning toward conservatism, even extremism.

In addition, NU should strengthen the people, particularly its nahdliyin (members), so as to be able to adapt to rapid developments of science and technology as well as information. “NU should also manifest the spirit of organizational independence, without being trapped by short-term interests,” he added. (PDS)

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira)