Gus Yahya: Santri's Anger Is Not About NU, But Identity Self Price

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board KH Yahya Cholil Staquf in the 2025 National Santri Day Kick Off (HSN) activity at Nahdlatul Ulama University Surabaya (Unusa), ANTARA/HO-PWNU East Java

SURABAYA - General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board KH Yahya Cholil Staquf emphasized that the anger of students towards broadcasts on one of the national television stations was not due to the issue of Islamic boarding schools or NU, but because of attacks on identity groups.

"The 10th Santri Day of 2025 received a bitter gift from the broadcast of a national television station. However, from there there is a lesson about the importance of the spirit of unity and responsibility to maintain independence," said Gus Yahya during the Kick Off of National Santri Day (HSN) 2025 activity at Nahdlatul Ulama University Surabaya (Unusa), Antara, Sunday, October 19.

The opening ceremony of the 2025 HSN which was held by PWNU together with PBNU and the East Java Provincial Government was attended by Katib Aam PBNU KH Said Asrori, Rais Syuriah PBNU Prof Mohammad Nuh, Rector of Unusa Prof Achmad Jazidie, Deputy General Chairperson of PBNU KH Amin Said Husni, Deputy Rais Syuriah PWNU East Java KH Abdul Matin Djawahir, and PWNU Chairman KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz.

According to Gus Yahya, Indonesia as a pluralistic country has various identity groups, including ethnicity, religion, race, ethnicity, and class, all of which must be protected from all forms of attacks or insults.

"Including NU which is also an identity group. Islamic boarding schools are like that. Everything must be maintained, because attacks against one group can trigger national divisions," said Gus Yahya.

He added that unity does not mean eliminating differences. "Independent couples definitely aim to unite, but they can still be different. The issue of less salty vegetables can be a problem, but don't make it a difference of reasons to separate," he said.

On that occasion, Gus Yahya also launched the book Resolution Jihad NU (Sabil War in Surabaya 1945) by the Chairman of the East Java PWNU, Riadi Ngasiran. He emphasized that before calling for national unity, NU must ensure unity within itself.

"NU must be at the forefront until the ideals of independence are achieved, namely the realization of a noble civilization," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the East Java PWNU, KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz or Kiai Kikin, appreciated Unusa's progress, which was considered beyond her age, but he reminded the importance of maintaining adab in the midst of the flow of education digitization.

The example taught by pesantren remains important. The attitude of subjecting to students to teachers is a form of pressing the ego so that knowledge can be easily entered. That is the teachings of the Prophet, not just an old tradition," said Kiai Kikin.

After the activity, Kiai Kikin continued his visit to the Al-Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo.

Meanwhile, Rais Syuriah PBNU Prof Mohammad Nuh emphasized that human resources (HR) are the main key to the progress of the nation.

The key to civilization is humans. The factories are Islamic boarding schools, education, health, and the economy. Therefore, NU strengthens itself with quality human resources, including through 22'23 Nahdlatul Ulama University, one of which is Unusa whose achievements exceed his age," said Prof. Nuh.