Nahdlatul Ulama

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Nadwatul Ulama.
Nahdlatul 'Ulama
نهضة العلماء
Region served
Indonesia
General Leader
K.H. Miftachul Akhyar
Chairman
K.H. Yahya Cholil Staquf
Secretary-general
Drs. H. Saifullah Yusuf
AffiliationsIslamic Traditionalism (Sunni Islam)[1]
Websitewww.nu.or.id

Nahdlatul Ulama (Indonesian pronunciation: [nahˈdatʊl ʊˈlama], lit. 'Revival of the Ulama', NU) is an Islamic organization in Indonesia. Its membership numbered over 95 million in 2021,[2] making it the largest Islamic organization in the world.[3] NU is also a charitable body funding schools and hospitals as well as organizing communities to help alleviate poverty.

The NU was founded in 1926 by the

Qur'an and Sunnah.[4]

Some leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama are ardent advocates of

socio-cultural conditions in Indonesia.[5] Islam Nusantara promotes moderation, anti-fundamentalism, pluralism, and, to a degree, syncretism.[6] Many NU elders, leaders, and religious scholars, however, have rejected Islam Nusantara in favor of a more conservative approach.[7]

Ideology

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Background
Eminent scholars
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  • Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari
    (d. 324/936)
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Theological works
Institutions
Events
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Classic
Modern

Nahdlatul Ulama follows the

theology.[8]

In the field of

liberal, and pluralistic Islamic movement,[9][10] but is a diverse organization with large conservative factions, as well.[7]

The Nahdlatul Ulama has stated that it is not tied to any political organization.[11]

History

Origin

NU was established in 1926 as an organization for orthodox

Buddhist traditions at all. The organization was established after The Committee of Hijaz had fulfilled its duty and about to be dissolved. The organization was established by Hasyim Asy'ari, the head of an Islamic religious school in East Java. The organization expanded, but the base of its support remained in East Java. By 1928, the NU was using the Javanese language in its sermons, alongside Arabic.[13]: 169 [14]: 168 [15]
: 233–236 

The Jombang Mosque, birthplace of the Nahdlatul Ulama

In 1937, despite poor relations between the NU and other Sunni Islam organizations in Indonesia, the organizations established the Supreme Islamic Council of Indonesia (Indonesian: Majlis Islam A'laa Indonesia, MIAI) as a discussion forum. They were joined by most of the other Islamic organizations in existence at the time. In 1942, the Japanese occupied Indonesia and in September a conference of Islamic leaders was held in Jakarta.[13]: 191, 194 [15]: 233–236 

The Japanese wanted to replace the MIAI, but the conference not only decided to maintain the organization, but also elected political figures belonging to the

Masyumi (Consultative Council of Indonesian Muslims). Hasjim Asjari was the notional chairman, but in practice the new organization was led by his son, Wahid Hasyim. Other NU and Muhammadiyah figures held leadership positions.[13]: 191, 194 [15]
: 233–236 

In 1945, Sukarno and Hatta declared Indonesian independence, which NU supported.

During the early months of the Indonesian National Revolution the NU declared on October 22, 1945, that the fight against the Dutch colonial forces was a holy war, obligatory for all Muslims of the nation (this day is since 2015 honored as National Santri Day).[16] Among the guerrilla groups fighting for independence were Hizbullah and Sabillilah, which were led by the NU.[15]: 233–236 

NAHDLATUL ULAMA RESOLUTION
to all members in Java and Madura Islands

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious and Merciful:

The Regional Leaders and Representatives of Nahdlatul Ulama, assembled in Surabaya, East Java, in general session of the Java-Madura Conference of the aformentioned on 21-22 October 1945, hereby declare that:

Given that the testimonies and speeches given from representatives from Java and Madura revealed the huge desire of the Muslim Ummah and Ulama of these regions and in the areas of the aforementioned to defend and uphold both religion and the sovereignty of the newly independent Republic of Indonesia, declared on the 17th of August of this year, against foreign aggression, during the duration of this Conference,

considering that the defense of Republic of Indonesia according to the laws of the Islamic Religion as thus a obligation for every Muslim in accordance with Islamic doctrine, and that Muslims constitute the majority of the citizenry of the young Republic,

and considering the following realities faced by the Muslim community:

Whereas, That the Dutch (NICA) and the Japanese who came and were here in the lands of the Republic carried out many crimes and atrocities which disturbed the peace,

Whereas, That everything they did was done with the intention of violating the sovereignty of the independent Republic of Indonesia and the freedom of religion, and wanting to restore their former colonial possessions, there have been battles that have sacrificed many lives in many places of the republic,

Whereas, these battles were mostly carried out by members of the Muslim community who felt obliged according to their religious laws to defend the independence of their country and religious freedom,

And whereas, in dealing with all these incidents, in accordance with our response, we have not received concrete orders and demands from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia on that matter.

NOW THEREFORE, WE HEREBY ORDER AND RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING:

First, For the NU to urgently request the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to determine a real and commensurate attitude and action towards efforts, especially towards the Dutch and their allies and supporters at home and overseas, that will endanger religious freedom and the independence of the Indonesian nation,

and second, for the NU to continue the "sabilillah" struggle for the establishment of the independent Republic of Indonesia and Islam.

Resolved in Surabaya on the 22th day of October, 1945

(SGD.) THE NAHDLATUL ULAMA

Transformation into Islamic political party

Nahdlatul Ulama
Merged intoUnited Development Party
HeadquartersDjakarta, Indonesia
NewspaperDuta Masjarakat
Youth wingAnsor Youth Movement
IdeologyIslamism (Traditional)
National affiliationIndonesian League of Muslims
See also: Politics of Indonesia, Political aspects of Islam, Islamism, and Criticism of Islamism

Following the recognition of Indonesian independence, a new party called Masyumi was established with the NU as a component of it. The NU leadership at the time had no political skills, and was awarded few influential cabinet positions, with the exception of chairman Wahid Hasyim, who was appointed religious affairs minister. The NU was unhappy with its lack of influence within Masyumi, especially after a decision at the 1949 party conference changed the party's religious council, on which the NU held several positions, into a powerless advisory body.[15]: 233–236 

Two years later, a dispute over the organization of the

Haj pilgrimage led to Prime Minister Natsir's opposition to the reappointment of Hasyim as religious affairs minister in the next cabinet. In the ensuing cabinet crisis, the NU made a series of demands, including the retention of Hasyim, and threatened to leave Masyumi. On 5 April 1952, a few days after the announcement of a new cabinet without Hasyim, the NU decided in principle to leave Masyumi. Three months later it withdrew all its members from Masyumi councils, and on 30 August it established the Indonesian League of Muslims, comprising the NU, PSSI and a number of smaller organizations. It was chaired by Hasyim.[15]: 233–236 [17]

During the liberal democracy era (1950–1957), NU members served in a number of cabinet posts. In the first Ali Sastroamidjojo Cabinet, the NU held three seats, with Zainul Arifin appointed second deputy prime minister. However, following the fall of this cabinet, some NU members were opposed to the NU joining the new cabinet, to be formed by Burhanuddin Harahap Cabinet, believing that if he was unable to form a cabinet, the NU would be invited to try. It was finally pressured into participating, and was awarded the interior and religious affairs portfolios in the cabinet, which was sworn in on 12 August 1955.[15]: 418–419 

On 29 September 1955, Indonesia held its first

elections were held for the Constitutional Assembly, which was tasked with drawing up a permanent constitution. The results were very similar, with the NU winning 91 of the 514 seats.[13]: 238–239 [15]: 434–436 [18]
: 51 

In the 1950s, the NU still wanted to see Indonesia become an Islamic state, and expressed its disapproval of a 1953 presidential speech in which Sukarno rejected this. Three years later, it also argued against Sukarno's "conception" that would eventually lead to the establishment of guided democracy, as this would mean PKI members sitting in the cabinet. On 2 March 1957, the Permesta rebellion broke out. Among its demands was the restoration of Mohammad Hatta to the vice-presidency. The NU supported these calls.[15]: 281–282, 544 [19]

Meanwhile, in the Constitutional Assembly, the NU joined Masyumi, the Indonesian Islamic Union Party (PSII), the Islamic Education Movement (Perti) and other parties to form the Islamic Block, which wanted Indonesian to become an Islamic state. The block made up 44.8% of total seats. However, with none of the blocks able to command a majority and push through the constitution it wanted, the assembly failed to agree and was dissolved by Sukarno in a decree on 5 July 1959 that also restored the original 1945 Constitution, which declared the state to be based on the Pancasila philosophy, not Islam.[15]: 281–282, 544 [19]

In 1960, President

the mass killings of Indonesian communists. However, the NU later began to oppose Suharto's regime.[20]

In 1984,

Imamah; similarly Shiite is NU plus Imamah." There have been many similarities between the two, such as the position and role of kyai. The main contrast between them is that in NU, the concept is visible in the form of accepted culture, while in Shia, it takes the form of theology.[20]

Following the

1987 election, the PPP vote collapsed from 28% in 1982 to only 16%. From then on, it was expected that the NU would concentrate on religious and social activities.[13]: 276 [14]: 32, 36–37 [18]
: 201 

Outside politics

In 1984, the New Order government announced that all organizations would have to accept state ideology Pancasila as their basis. Once again the NU was accommodating, with Gus Dur calling Pancasila a "noble compromise"[14]: 172  for Muslims. Five years later. Gus Dur was reelected for a second five-year term as chairman, a position he held until being elected president in 1999.[18]: 203 

In 1990, the NU worked with Bank Summa to establish a system of rural banks. Suharto did not approve of the NU straying beyond purely religious activities, and the fact the bank was owned by a Christian ethnic-Chinese family led to controversy. The bank was eventually shut down two years later because of financial mismanagement. Gus Dur also incurred the disapproval of the regime by holding a mass rally at a Jakarta stadium three months before the

1992 legislative elections, ostensibly to express support for Pancasila.[14]
: 188–193 

This resulted in Gus Dur being invited to meet Lt. Col. Prabowo Subianto, Suharto's son-in-law at Jakarta Military Headquarters. At the meeting, Gus Dur was warned to avoid unacceptable political conduct, and told that if he insisted in involving himself in politics, rather than confining himself to religious matters, he should express support for a further presidential term for Suharto. In response, Gus Dur threatened to leave the NU. This resulted in the regime backing down, as it could not risk bringing Gus Dur down.[14]: 188–193 

Post-New Order era

During the

Banyuwangi in East Java when a witchhunt against alleged sorcerers spiralled out of control.[21][22] Following the fall of Suharto and his replacement by Vice-president B. J. Habibie, in July 1998 Gus Dur announced the establishment of the National Awakening Party (Indonesian: Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, PKB). On 10 November, Gus Dur met with other pro-reform figures Amien Rais, Megawati Sukarnoputri and Sultan Hamengkubuwono. The so-called Ciganjur Four, named after the location of Gus Dur's house, issued a declaration calling the Habibie administration "transitional" and calling for elections to be brought forward and for the Indonesian Military to end its political role.[14]
: 387–297 

In Indonesia's first free

2009 elections was half that of the previous vote in 2004. At its 2010 conference, held in Makassar, the NU decided not to discuss the split, and passed a resolution banning officials from holding political posts, seen as a commitment to avoiding future political involvement.[14]: 501 [23][24][25]

After the conference, concerns about the longer term role of the NU continued to attract comment in the national media. During 2011, for example, there was continuing discussion about the national role that the NU should play and about the close political links between the NU and the National Awakening Party (PKB). Comments by Yenny Wahid, for example, reflected these concerns when she said that the NU was fragmenting and "sliding into irrelevance".[26]

Aims

See also: Freedom of religion in Indonesia and Human rights in Indonesia

The NU exists to spread Islamic teaching. As well as preaching, it undertakes educational activities through its network of 6,830 Islamic boarding schools (or pesantren). It also owns 44 universities; is involved in economic and agricultural studies; and provides social services such as family planning.[27] Its goal is "to spread messages about a tolerant Islam in their respective countries to curb radicalism, extremism and terrorism," which, it claims, "often spring from a misinterpretation of Islamic teachings."[9][10]

The NU-sponsored Hualien Al-Falah Mosque in Taiwan.

In December 2014, NU launched a global campaign against extremism and jihadism. Alongside NU theologians, the group built a prevention center in Indonesia to train Arabic-speaking students to combat jihadist rhetoric. Additionally, NU created a joint program with the University of Vienna entitled VORTEX (Vienna Observatory for Applied Research on Radicalism and Extremism). The project is funded by the Indonesian Ministry of Internal Security. It also launched an American nonprofit organization called Bayt ar-Rahmah in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.[9][10] On the other hand, Nahdlatul Ulama leaders gave a fatwa in favor of female genital mutilation (FGM).[28][29] In 2019, NU called for the abolishment of the term "kafir" to describe non-Muslims.[30]

Leaders

The highest body in the NU is its Syuriah (Supreme Council). Under this is the Tanfidziyah (Executive Council); the Mustasyar (Advisory Council) provides input to both. At the 2010 NU Conference, Sahal Mahfudz was elected chairman of the Executive Council, and thus serves as executive chief. At the same conference, Sahal Mahfudz was elected chair of the Supreme Council for the 2010-2015 period. Under the Executive Council, there are province-level Regional Boards, autonomous bodies, institutes, and committees, with the structure extending down to Sub-Branch Representative Council Boards in villages.[31][32]: 15 [27][33]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://pps.uin-suka.ac.id/id/berita/213-teliti-teologi-muhammadiyah-dan-nu-zuriatul-khairi-raih-doktor.html#:~:text=Drs.%20H.%20Zuriatul%20Khairi%2C,pandangan%20umat%20Islam%20di%20Indonesia.&text=Keduanya%20adalah%20penganut%20Islam%20ortodoks. Archived 2021-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Patrick Winn (March 8, 2019). "The world's largest Islamic group wants Muslims to stop saying 'infidel'". PRI. Archived from the original on 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  3. ^
    ISBN 9780195395891. Archived
    from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  4. ^
    ISBN 9780252030772. Archived
    from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Apa yang Dimaksud dengan Islam Nusantara?". Nahdlatul Ulama (in Indonesian). 22 April 2015. Archived from the original on 16 September 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  6. ^ F Muqoddam (2019). "Syncretism of Slametan Tradition As a Pillar of Islam Nusantara'". E Journal IAIN Madura (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2021-02-15.
  7. ^ a b Arifianto, Alexander R. (23 January 2017). "Islam Nusantara & Its Critics: The Rise of NU's Young Clerics" (PDF). RSIS Commentary. 18. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Kanal NU Online". Archived from the original on 2022-01-31. Retrieved 2015-08-21.
  9. ^ a b c "From Indonesia, a challenge to the ideology of the Islamic State". The New York Times. Jakarta. 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  10. ^
    The Huffington Post. Archived
    from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  11. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
    . p. 78.
  12. ^ University of Cumbria, Division of Religion and Philosophy. "Nahdatul Ulama". www.philtar.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
  13. ^
    ISBN 0-8047-4480-7
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  14. ^
    ISBN 1-86373-635-2
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    ISBN 978-9-79378-045-0
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  16. ^ "Teks Resolusi Jihad NU, Cikal Bakal Hari Santri Nasional".
  17. ^ "Kebangkitan Nasional dan Awal Berdirinya Nahdlatul Ulama". mediaipnu.or.id. 20 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  18. ^
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  20. ^ a b "Cikeusik to Sampang: The threat of conflict". January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  21. ^ "The Banyuwangi murders". Inside Indonesia. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved Oct 9, 2020.
  22. ^ LIEBHOLD, DAVID (Oct 19, 1998). "That New Black Magic". Time. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved Oct 9, 2020.
  23. Jakarta Post. 2008-06-30. Archived
    from the original on 2022-04-03. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  24. ^ "PKB Still Hopes for Nahdlatul Ulama Help to Heal Split". Jakarta Globe. 2010-03-29. Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  25. ^ "NU leaders cannot hold political posts". Nahdlatul Ulama. 2008-03-27. Archived from the original on 2019-03-02. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  26. ^ 'Nation's largest Muslim group laments 'waning influence' ', The Jakarta Post, 20 June 2011 "Nation's largest Muslim group laments 'waning influence' | the Jakarta Post". Archived from the original on 2011-06-24. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  27. ^ a b NU Website
  28. ^ Shahid, Kunwar Khuldune (10 October 2014). "Self-defeating extremes". The Friday Times. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  29. ^ "Despite Ban, Female Genital Mutilation Widespread in Indonesia". Jakarta Globe. Jakarta. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  30. ^ "NU calls for end to word 'infidels' to describe non-Muslims". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Susunan Lengkap Kepengurusan PBNU 2022-2027". mediaipnu.or.id. 20 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  32. ISBN 978-981-230-876-4. Archived
    from the original on 2022-04-03. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  33. ^ "Kang Said, Mbah Sahal elected to lead NU". 2008-03-28. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2008-06-30.

Further reading

External links

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