Foster Nationalism amid Industry 4.0

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

People attend the 73rd anniversary celebration of the Muslimat (Muslim women) of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) stadium in Jakarta on Sunday (27/01/2019). The event, which was attended by President Joko Widodo, was marked with tahajud prayers, hajad prayers, morning prayers in congregation, prayers for the nation and a declaration by the NU’s female members to act together against online hoaxes.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – President Joko Widodo has urged the nation’s largest Muslim organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), to foster the spirit of nationalism. The role of NU, which the organization has consistently filled since 1926, was becoming increasingly relevant amid the nation’s ongoing economic, social and political changes due to Industry 4.0.

“I believe that the NU is undoubtedly committed to religion and to the nation,” the President said on Thursday (1/31/2019) in his speech at the organization’s 93rd anniversary event in Jakarta.

The President said it was important to develop commitment to the nation, because Indonesia was not only diverse, but was also undergoing changes in its political, economic and social landscape. As had been the case in many countries, these changes were triggered by Industry 4.0.

The President said that social media was among the technological advancements that had brought significant changes. People could benefit greatly from social media, but at the same time, new problems had emerged. People were becoming more prone to slander and hate speech, even though this was contrary to religious values, such as good manners and behavior, politeness and being committed to nationalism.

NU executive chair Said Aqil Siroj said that, the organization had continued to safeguard Indonesian unity through the decades. The NU had also worked continuously to preserve the national culture and uniqueness, and consistently promoted a respectful form of “Islam Nusantara”.

Ahead of the organization’s centenary in 2026, Aqil said that the NU should face up to the challenges of the changing era in filling the spiritual void of society, connections between human beings and between man and God.

“Otherwise, we will lose our identity. If we [cannot face] Industry 4.0, we will certainly lose our identity,” he said.

He said the NU must believe in itself to face the global industrial revolution. Among the organization’s pledges to tackle its current challenges was to discuss relevant issues at the Ulema National Assembly and NU Congress on Feb. 27-March 1 in Banjar, West Java. (LAS/E02)