Reveals NU-Muhammadiyah Struggle To Receive Zayed Award 2024, Megawati: They Are Fighters

PDI-P General Chair Megawati Soekarnoputri (DOK ANTARA)

Chairman of the PDI-P (PDIP) Megawati Soekarnoputri shared her efforts for Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah to receive the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity (ZAHF) 2024. As a member of the 2024 Zayed Award jury, Megawati admitted that she proposed Muhammadiyah and NU to be nominated for award recipients. The two organizations competed with 120 other nominations. The fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia then had to face a beating to get three nominations and three reserve nominations. It was the nominations that were then handed over to Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Azhar to be chosen who the winner would be. Megawati said there were six judges, including herself. However, only Megawati is from Asia. Megawati in her mind said that she would lose arguing to fight for NU and Muhammadiyah. Because, she is a woman, Asia, a woman, and a Muslim, while other judges come from the West. The next phase is the initial stabbing, which issued 15 nominations. Megawati is grateful that NU and Muhammadiyah are included in the 15 nominations. On the other hand, Megawati also proposed that women activists and religious professors Musdah Mulia get nominations from the individual aspect. "There are so many individuals, groups, and organizations. Then I thought about how I spoke to start convincing these four (juries)," Megawati said at the commemoration of Isra Mi'raj Nabi Muhammad SAW and the 2024 Zayed Award presentation to Muhammadiyah and NU at Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, Sunday, February 11. Megawati when asked to speak deliberately used her background to influence other judges. Megawati introduced herself to be a member of parliament for three terms, Vice President, and President of the Republic of Indonesia. "I want to build a perception that I should be at the top to be able to win one of the desired ones. After I wore it, those two immediately looked at it," said Megawati. The daughter of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia, Bung Karno, said that she was very close to Muhammadiyah and NU. Megawati said that her grandfather was the founder of Muhammadiyah and had been a manager in Bengkulu. Megawati then told the jury that NU and Muhammadiyah participated in the fight to fight for Indonesia's independence. "They are fighters. Different from the others, they are fighting, not just building mosques and so on. They participated in the fight to liberate our country, Muhammadiyah 1912, and NU 1926," explained Megawati. Megawati also told a heroic story to the colonialism mada that occurred between Tangerang and Bekasi. At that time, the Dutch wanted to make the area an urban area, while the local community did work as farmers. "I really remember reading the book was a resistance called the resistance of Banten farmers led by kiai from NU. What I mean to tell you like this because we have forgotten the history of our nation. That we are not as easy as we are now delicious that in the past there were many sacrifices that had to be made. That's my story to them. They were silent. If this echo is for world peace and humanity, I ask this organization to be nominated," he added.

Apart from Megawati, another 2024 Zayed Award jury is the 1967 Bueonos Aires Imam and is currently serving as Emeritus Prefecture The Holy Throne of the Holy Economy for the World Oriental Churches Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference for Development Trade and Vice President of Costa Rica 1994-1998 Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, Chairman of the United States International Religious Freedom Commission▁suami Abraham Cooper, Director General of UNESCO 2009-2017 Irina Bokova, Secretary General of ZAHF and Secretary General of the Muslim Hukama Council Prof Mohamed Abdusalam.