NU Reminds Indonesian Students Not To Lose Their Self-Defense

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - Rois Syuriah Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) Kebumen Afifuddin Chanif Al Hasani representing PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf reminded that students in the country must be present in various areas of life without losing their identity.

"Santri are no longer fighting with weapons, but with knowledge and morals. Santri must be present in the world of education, economy, digital, and global civilization without losing their identity," said Gus Afif, Afif's nickname, Afifuddin Chanif Al Hasani, quoted by Antara, in Jakarta, Saturday, October 25.

He also reaffirmed the historical meaning of Santri Day which is rooted in the Jihad Resolution on October 22, 1945.

"The Santri Day is not just a memory of the past, but a spiritual momentum to maintain independence. The resolution of jihad is not just a call for war, but a national moral charter that love for the homeland is part of faith," he explained.

This was conveyed by Gus Afif while attending the 2025 National Santri Day Grand Apple which was held by PCNU Kebumen. Carrying the theme "Towards the Noble Civilization", the grand rally is the peak of a series of activities to commemorate Santri Day which have been going on since early October in Kebumen, Central Java.

On that occasion, Imam Satibi, who is the Chair of PCNU Kebumen Tanfidziyah, symbolically handed over Defense Kyai's Attitude Statement to the Chairman of the Kebumen DPRD. The statement of attitude contained calls to maintain the dignity of the ulama, uphold the value of Aswaja, and maintain the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Imam Satibi conveyed that the HSN 2025 theme was important and involved elements of students and Nahdliyin residents to make it happen. He also emphasized that the grand apple was more than just a gathering place, but also as a forum for strengthening the morale and consolidation of the unity of the people.

This year's national theme reminds us that pesantren is a national moral bulwark. Islamic boarding schools must be maintained, strengthened, and developed as a debting institution for the generation of karimah," he said.

Imam Satibi hopes that the commemoration of Santri Day will become an annual agenda that will continue to be filled with positive activities and inspiring competitions. This year, PCNU Kebumen held 24 types of competitions involving thousands of students from various educational institutions under the auspices of NU to commemorate National Santri Day.