Hasto Reveals Bung Karno's Role As A Warrior Of The Islamic Nation: A Forgotten Title In History Narratives

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the PDI-P (PDIP) DPP, Hasto Kristiyanto, revealed historical facts about the role of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno in building solidarity in the Islamic world.

Hasto said the 1965 Asi-African Islamic Conference designated Bung Karno as the 'Expender of Islamic Independence and Heroes'.

"It's a title that is often forgotten in the historical narrative," said Hasto at the 2025 Santri Day commemoration with the theme Santri Struggling: Bung Karno Teachings, Legacy of Independence and Contribution of the Young Generation at the Lenteng Agung Party School, Jakarta, Wednesday, October 22.

Hasto told how Bung Karno's consultation with Kyai Haji Hasyim Asy'ari about the law of defending the homeland gave birth to Jihad Resolution on October 22, 1945.

The resolution emphasized that defending Indonesia's independence is a religious obligation for every Muslim, and makes the invaders the enemy of religion and nation.

"Greatly enough, the Jihad Resolution was also heard by the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He also issued a similar resolution, which resulted in around 600 Muslim soldiers defecting from the British army to defend Indonesia, which was just independent. Many of them died as martyrs," explained Hasto.

To honor the sacrifice, continued Hasto, Bung Karno then built the Syuhada Mosque when the capital city was in Yogyakarta. "Incidentally, the driver of Bung Karno when he was arrested was also named Syuhada," he said.

This incident, said Hasto, shows how the meeting between religion and nationalism gave birth to forces capable of facing the winner of World War II.

Hasto also emphasized that Bung Karno's understanding of Islam is very complete.

He said the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia studied the thoughts of world Islamic figures such as Sayyid Jamaluddin al-Afghani, Arabi Pasha, Mustafa Kamil, and Muhammad Abduh.

"In his fight against the Dutch, Bung Karno quoted many verses from the Qur'an that raised enthusiasm. This is what we want to clarify from history: Bung Karno and Islam," said Hasto.

This understanding, said Hasto, underlies Bung Karno's foreign policy that defends oppressed nations. After the Asian Africa Conference (KAA), Bung Karno actively supported the struggle for independence of Islamic countries.

"Bung Karno rented out a house on Jalan Serang, Menteng, Jakarta for fighters from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Sudan. In fact, to free Algeria, Bung Karno smuggled weapons that should have been for West Irian, because he prioritized the release of colonized nations," said Hasto.

Because of this contribution, Bung Karno was awarded the title "appropriation and release of the Islamic nation". This commitment, said Hasto, became the ideological and historical foundation for PDIP to date, including in a firm stance against the arrival of Israel and fully support for Palestine.

"With the spirit of Jihad Resolution and the support of Asian African countries, if Bung Karno were still alive, events like Gaza would never happen," he said.

Hasto also highlighted the spiritual and political connection between Bung Karno and his daughter, Megawati Soekarnoputri. He gave an example, when he prepared the 2014 cabinet, Megawati reminded the elected president to understand this historical awareness and restore the economic strength of the people, including those of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

"This spirit was played by Bung Karno and continued by Mrs. Megawati. This spirit must be revived, especially in interpreting the struggle to build a sovereign, independent, and personality Indonesia," concluded Hasto.