"NU has already been thoroughly indonesianized"

Jember, NU Online
The Grand Imam of Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, KH Ali Musthofa Ya'kub, said that Nahdaltul Ulama (NU) was a typically Indonesian Ahlussunah wal Jamaah organization and "is always aligned with the Indonesia's vision and mission.<>

According to the Chairman of Lawmaking Body (Rais Syuriyah) of NU in a meeting with the Jember's Branch Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) on Monday (5/1), since the beginning NU has already become thoroughly indonesianized. It could be seen from its involvement in struggling for independence, the acceptance of so-called Pancasila as the state ideology and in various national events.

"NU is the hallmark of Islam ahlussunnah wal jamaah in Indonesia," he said.

This hadith expert added that in other countries there had been many  organizations having similar religious practices and belief systems as that maintained and preserved by the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization like Malaysia, Thailand and even Russia.

Despite the similarity of the religious practices, he said, "they are not  NU."

"I see in Russia, the way Muslims worship there is the same as (that performed by NU (followers). But, again and again, they are not NU. NU in Indonesia does not only hold itself bound by the similarities of religious practices but also emotion, and even politics," he explained.

Today, he added, organizations labelling themselves ahlussunnah wal jama'ah had emerged in many countries including Indonesia. "But they are not necessarily the same as the teachings of ahlussunnah wal jamaah as preserved by NU. In fact they have often insulted NU."

"Yes, if you want to know more about (the teachings of) ahlussunnah wal Jama'ah in the NU version, we must read books written by Hadratus Sheikh KH Hasyim Ashari. His books has also been widely recognized by scholars in Mecca," he said.

The discussion was also attended by a number of prominent NU board members such as Rais Syuriah of PCNU Jember, KH Muhyiddin Abdusshomad, Katib Syuriyah MN. Harisuddin, Vice Chairman of PCNU, KH Misbahus Salam.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq