The NU’s Independence and World Peace

From its founding, the Nahdlatul Ulama has not focused merely on implementing and strengthening ahlussunnah waljama\'ah (Sunnah Muslims and community). NU was born with an aim to develop the people’s economy.

Kompas/Heru Sri Kumoro

Chairperson of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama KH Said Aqil Siroj (center) accompanied by Secretary General Helmy Faishal Zaini (second from left) and other PBNU administrators delivered Reflections on the End of 2019 and the 2020 National Tausiah at the PBNU Building, Jakarta, Thursday (1/1/2020)

Developing the people\'s economy is a cornerstone in the NU’s establishment. The Nahdlatut Tujjar, the merchants’ union that was the forerunner to the NU, is clear evidence that economic issues cannot be neglected.

As regards maintaining and strengthening the Islamic understanding of ahlussunnah waljama\'ah, NU has taken a firm stance that this important issue must be developed in the context of our diverse country. The understanding of Islam that the wali (Muslim saints who spread Islam in Indonesia) developed has been proven and has always passed the test in supporting the diversity of Indonesian society, which is the basis of the Indonesian state and nation.

Cultural strategy

History proves that the ahlussunnah waljama\'ah theological principal has become a "cultural strategy", and NU emerged as one of the independent organizations in the national revival movement of the early 20th century. The main issue of the movement led by the founders of NU, and which evolved into the spirit of struggle, was to seize and claim independence while fostering loyalty to the State of Indonesia.

In serving the nation for 94 years, NU has not demanded anything other than to manifest its civic responsibility.

NU has ridden the fluctuating waves of struggle as well as traveled the winding road toward forming and upholding the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). NU is not only a "national muezzin" in this context, but also a guardian of the rank and file in keeping obeisance to the nation and state straight and true.

In the bigger picture of NU\'s struggle, one of the most significant events occurred in 1950, when a huge scandal embroiled the organization. The autonomous body of NU, GP Ansor, was falsely accused of establishing an Indonesian Islamic state.

Kompas/Bahana Patria Gupta

The Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin gave a speech at the opening of the National Working Meeting of the Nahdlatul Ulama Girls Student Association (IPPNU) in the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School Complex (PPBU) Tambakberas, Jombang, Thursday (23/1/2020).

In response to the accusation, K.H. Mahrus Aly firmly stated in writing: "NU has no dreams, let alone intentions, to establish an Islamic state, as has been rumored by the nekolim (neo-colonialists) and their accomplices. NU will continue to uphold the Pancasila state until the end of time. We will remain loyal to the Great Leader of our Revolution, Bung Karno and carry out the Pancar (Five Talismans of the Revolution). May Almighty Allah give His blessings and guidance, and especially His strength, to us all. Amen!"

By referring to the Khitah Nahdliyah in affirming NU as a religious and socioreligious movement, in the present and in the future, NU has confirmed that it is – to borrow the term coined by K.H. Said Aqil Siroj – syuhud tsaqafy, a cultural movement.

As regards this strategy, it is necessary to emphasize that NU continues to serve the nation and the state, and will in future enhance its efforts in promoting national unity and sovereignty amidst the conflicting interests among the world’s nations. The global condition has given birth to a new kind of colonialism, especially in terms of economics. NU is also contributing to the pursuit of world peace, as mandated in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution.

As emphasized above, the NU sees its role as a third party that stands outside political and state institutions. The NU’s authority lies in three areas: understanding ahlussunnah waljama\'ah (and fahrah nahdliyah that have given birth to moderate Islam), cultural values, traditions and institutions ranging from pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), scholastic networks and the tarekat (Path of Islam), as well as its organizational network across the archipelago.

This network of power has so far played an effective role as a buffer for the nation, external to those political institutions and state administrators that we know have recently experienced a decline in their legitimacy because they have poorly fulfilled their main functions.

Far-reaching role of NU

History shows that NU has done much for this country, beginning with its active role in winning Indonesia’s independence, drafting the Constitution and following it. To date, NU has remained independent in managing education. NU has also been independent in managing the economy. NU has brought together thousands of farmers and fishermen. NU also remains independent in fostering social institutions and activities. In this regard, NU has maintained dozens of tarekat (recitation groups), all of which are managed independently in terms of both operation and financing.

In short, NU has done much for this country. Therefore, it is appropriate that all parties, especially the state, to support the NU agenda as a whole so that the NU can take a greater role in upholding this nation. It is the spirit of independence that is the spirit and soul of NU, and which has allowed it to continue to stand strong today.

On the other hand, concrete evidence of NU\'s commitment to the people’s economic movement is found in Chapter 3 of the NU Statutes: "establishing bodies to advance agricultural, commercial and corporate affairs that are not prohibited by Sharia".

One of the objectives of founding NU focuses on the people’s economy – or the NU-style people’s economy – of course involves many fields including trade, the provision of goods and services, agriculture and finally, the marine sector.

Biggest agriculture

As Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has confirmed, three sectors dominated employment in the working population in August 2019. First was agriculture at 27.33 percent, second was trade (18.81 percent) and third was manufacturing (14.96 percent).

Given this reality, it is unsurprising that NU has given its greatest attention to the agriculture and trade industries at both the micro and macro levels. Its agricultural focus is evident in the recommendations of the 32nd NU Conference in Makassar in 2010 and also the 33rd NU Conference in Jombang in 2015.

The recommendations urged the NU Central Executive Board (PBNU) to advocate for and encourage the government in creating economic justice, especially in agriculture and trade.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Students from Silat Pagar Nusa school show off their martial arts skills during a ceremony on Santri Day at Tugu Pahlawan, Surabaya, East Java, Tuesday (22/10/2019). The determination of 22 October as Santri Day refers to a historic event, namely a call read by National Hero KH Hasjim Asy\'ari on 22 October 1945. This call contained orders to Muslims to fight against Allied troops that wanted to re-colonize the territory of the Republic of Indonesia post-Proclamation of Independence.

The fact is that we still import various staple food commodities, despite the majority of the current working population making their living from agriculture. This is a sad irony.

In this situation, smallholders are the main victims of the food import policy. NU has a strong commitment to be on the frontlines in the fight for economic equality.

NU firmly rejects all forms of fraud in managing the resources of the republic. This is because NU believes that peace can be created, not only in Indonesia but also the world, upon a strong spirit of independence and a just economic order.

As a result, "NU\'s Independence for World Peace" has been chosen as the theme for marking NU\'s 94th anniversary on 31 Jan.

Congratulations to NU on its 94th anniversary. May you stand tall and true according to the principles of Al-muhafadzotu alal qadimis sholih wal akhdzu bil jalidil ashlah (preserve tradition, create innovation).

A Helmy Faishal Zaini, Secretary-general, Nahdlatul Ulama Central Executive Board