NU to Be More Significantly Present in the Next Century
On 7 February 2023, or 16 Rajab, 1444 according to the Islamic calendar, NU will turn 100 years old. Going into its second century, NU is looking to play a more significant role at the national and global levels.
By
Kompas Team
·6 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Going into its second century, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is looking to grow more powerful in hopes that its superiority will allow it to make a greater contribution to the people, the country and the world. Amid a society that is constantly facing rapid changes in various aspects of life, it is hoped that NU will remain present amongst the public and help the people during this process of transformation.
Founded on 16 Rajab, 1344 according to the Islamic calendar, NU will be turning 100 on 16 Rajab, 1444, which falls on Tuesday (7/2/2023). Preparations for NU’s one-century celebration summit in Sidoarjo, East Java, have gone smoothly thus far. According to observations at Gelora Delta Sidoarjo on Sunday (5/2), several workers were still setting up the main stage. At the same time, Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel held a rally and security simulation.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, who also chairs the regional committee for NU’s one-century celebration summit, ensured that all preparations were going smoothly. She herself guided participants that will be performing at the event, such as NU’s women’s wing Muslimat, NU’s Ansor youth wing and the hadrah (Islamic music) group Ishari.
“This is what we dedicate to a century of NU. Once again, give your best performance,” she said.
Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali said that in order to ensure the success of the event, which he predicted will be attended by more than a million people, he issued a circular to all educational institutions instructing all learning activities at schools to be carried out online.
“Additionally, all office and industrial or factory activities have also been encouraged to work from home. Alhamdulillah [praise be to God] they are supportive,” said Mudhlor.
Need more power
NU chair Yahya Cholil Staquf, better known as Gus Yahya, said the theme to commemorate the celebration Empowering Nahdlatul Ulama, Picking Up the Second Century Toward a New Awakening was chosen to encourage and awaken the spirit of NU members. This is because NU has the potential to become a force to be reckoned with if managed properly. Thus, NU is not only empowered but can also be empowering.
Going into the next century, he wants NU to play more significant roles at the national and global levels. This aligns with NU’s founders’ ultimate goal to care for not only Indonesia, but also Muslims around the world.
NU needs to be empowering, not just empowered,
“It is a very burdening task and to be able to do it well, again, NU needs to be empowering, not just empowered,” said Gus Yahya during the Gagas RI event held by KG Media at the Kompas tower in Jakarta at the end of January 2023.
Therefore, Gus Yahya encouraged all NU members to carry out a more systematic and firm strategy to unleash the great power potentials of NU. This is necessary for NU to be significantly present in fulfilling its role.
Moreover, he encouraged stronger cooperation among several parties, including other religious communities, nationally and globally, as the problems the world faces today are problems humanity faces as a whole.
Challenges for NU
In a survey conducted by Litbang Kompas, the research arm of Kompas daily, from 24-26 January, it was found that 81.1 percent of respondents were confident that NU could play a better role or be beneficial for Indonesia. However, when asked about which specific sectors, respondents deemed NU’s role in economic empowerment and health still need to be optimized.
In a special interview with Kompas, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin said that NU had carried out various roles in the last century, from da’wah (Islamic teachings), education, health and the economy. NU is deemed to have succeeded in consolidation through strengthening its organization and having a concrete role in society.
In the next century, he hopes that NU’s role will strengthen in other fields, including science, technology, women and contributions at the international level. NU must be a part of dealing with issues that the world is facing.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani said NU had played a major role in Indonesia’s civilization, especially for its Muslims, in the last century. NU’s 100th anniversary must serve as a stepping stone for its progress in the field of religion and society in the future. She believes that NU will be able to assist the nation and state more in the future.
“I do not doubt NU’s commitments as a fortress of the NKRI [the Unitary State of the Republic Indonesia], which since the time of the country’s independence until now, has brought many benefits to Muslims and and the citizens of Indonesia,” she said.
Puan also expressed appreciation for the formation of NU Woman, an NU women’s task force focused on helping the community manage serious and strategic issues. This is because the role of women is very important in building a nation and they must become agents of change and present solutions to the nation’s problems.
NU has achieved in sending out its members to occupy various strategic positions in the nation, which has strengthened national ties.
Choosing the focus of issues is also important, namely strengthening the protection of women and children, the global issue of climate change and empowering NU women economically, socially and politically with justice.
Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD assessed that NU had succeeded in carrying out very rapid vertical social mobility. NU members can now occupy various political positions, such as leadership posts at the TNI and National Police, House seats and regional head posts. According to the minister, this would have been difficult to achieve between the 1960s to 1970s.
“NU has achieved in sending out its members to occupy various strategic positions in the nation, which has strengthened national ties. This must be improved,” he said.
Role in society
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) political science professor Ali Munhanif said, in Jakarta, that in its second century, NU is expected to strengthen its role in society’s transformation towards modernity. Students must uphold good character and morals, but they must also be able to compete in the job market.
Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), which are managed by NU figures, should not only teach religious issues. These schools must be transformed through a small window of change from a cultural-traditional society to a more modern one. This requires changes to its educational curriculum, where they should adapt to the latest developments. Students must also be equipped with the skills needed by the working world.
“People still have hope in the pesantren. However, if only religion is studied without any courage to make breakthroughs, we will end up with a generation that is unprepared for the demands of employment,” he said.
In addition, NU is also expected to participate in overseeing the empowerment program where human resources are developed with expertise that can be absorbed into the workforce. Thus, NU can make even more significant contributions in economic growth during its second century. (WKM/DEA/SYA/NIK/WER/DIA)