JAKARTA - Nahdlatul Ulama's young figure, HRM Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy or Gus Lilur, reminded the importance of maintaining the independence of Nahdlatul Ulama ahead of the implementation of the 35th NU Congress. He assessed that the emergence of issues of interference in power in the dynamics of the succession of the PBNU leadership could injure the dignity of the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia.
According to Gus Lilur, ahead of the 35th Muktamar, the political atmosphere within NU began to warm up with the emergence of various political axes and maneuvers. However, he highlighted the discussion regarding figures who are considered to have the blessing of the ruler or close to the circle of state power.
"We are starting to hear conversations about who is approved by the ruler, who is close to the president, who has the support of the state network. It seems that the NU Congress can only be completed if there is a green light from the state," said Gus Lilur in his statement, Tuesday, May 20.
He emphasized that such a view was not only wrong, but also historically painful for Nahdliyin citizens. Because, he said, NU is not an organization born from state power, but an important part of the history of the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia.
"NU is not an ordinary organization that can be treated as a political tool of power. This republic also stands because of the services of NU ulama and kiai," he said.
Gus Lilur reminded the historical relationship between the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno, and the founder of NU, KH Hasyim Asy'ari, showed the great respect of the state to the ulama. In history, he said, the leaders of the republic actually came to ask for advice from the kiai.
"Who came to the kiai was the president. It was not the kiai who came to ask for the president's blessing. There is etiquette and respect for history," he said.
He also touched on the important role of the October 22, 1945 Jihad Resolution issued by NU ulama in defending Indonesian independence from the threat of Dutch re-occupation. According to him, the resolution became an important milestone that motivated students and people to defend the republic.
"Pesantren became a center of struggle. Students went to the battlefield. But after the republic was established, the kiai did not fight for power. They returned to the pesantren and nurtured the people," he said.
Therefore, Gus Lilur admitted that he was concerned if there were attempts to interfere with power in the NU leadership succession process, either through conditioning political support, using the bureaucracy network, or attempts to influence the direction of the Muktamar.
"This is not just a matter of ordinary politics. This is about the dignity of history and the honor of the organization," he said.
However, Gus Lilur stated that he believed President Prabowo Subianto understood NU's position as the moral strength of the nation and would not interfere in the internal dynamics of the organization.
"I believe President Prabowo is a statesman. Respecting NU does not mean controlling NU, but letting the Nahdliyin determine their own path," he said.
He also quoted the views of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia KH Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur who reminded religious organizations not to be too close to power because they had the potential to lose their critical power and moral authority.
According to Gus Lilur, the 35th NU Congress is not merely a forum to choose the NU General Chairperson and Rais Aam, but also a test for the organization's independence in maintaining its dignity as the guardian of the nation's morals.
"What is at stake is not only the leadership of PBNU, but the dignity of NU as a moral force of the nation," he concluded.
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