JAKARTA - Remembering the services of heroes is not just looking back to the past, but also realizing the magnitude of their sacrifices in building the foundation of the nation.
The values of unity, independence, and courage against injustice that were inherited by the previous figures are an important inspiration for today's generation.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon also remembered the role of the national movement figure K.H. Samanhudi, who is known as the founder of the Islamic Trade Association (SDI). He is considered to have made a major contribution in building the collective awareness of the community about the importance of unity and economic independence in the midst of colonial situations.
According to Fadli, K.H. Samanhudi is a pioneer figure who is able to organize society through an economic approach, especially among batik traders in Laweyan. This effort became the basis for the development of a wider movement in the social and political fields.
"He organized the people's power through an economic vehicle, namely the Islamic Trade Association, as an initial step in facing colonial domination," said Fadli, as in his press statement, Friday, March 27.
The statement was made when he made a pilgrimage to the grave of K.H. Samanhudi in the Laweyan area, Surakarta, in the context of a working visit to Surakarta City, Central Java.
Fadli also highlighted an important change when the Islamic Trade Association transformed into the Islamic Association in 1912 under the leadership of H.O.S. Tjokroaminoto. This change marked a shift in the direction of the struggle, which was no longer limited to the economic sector, but also entered the political arena as a form of resistance against colonialism.
"This change shows that the struggle is not only focused on the economy, but is also evolving into a movement that fights for justice and independence," he added.
K.H. Samanhudi was born in Surakarta in 1868 and was known as a successful batik merchant. He founded the Islamic Trade Association in 1905 to protect the interests of native traders from the dominance of foreign traders. This organization later developed into the Islamic Association, which became one of the largest mass organizations during the national movement.
For his services, K.H. Samanhudi was awarded the title of National Hero by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in 1961. He died in 1956 and is remembered as one of the important figures in the history of the Indonesian independence struggle.
Fadli hopes that this pilgrimage activity can be a momentum to strengthen historical awareness as well as cultivate appreciation for the struggle of the nation's predecessors. He also emphasized his commitment to continue to raise historical values as part of character development and national culture.
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