JAKARTA - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) young figure, HRM Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy or Gus Lilur, publicly expressed his support for the Minister of Religion and the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Prof. Dr. H. Nasaruddin Umar, to lead the Nahdlatul Ulama General Board (PBNU) at the upcoming NU 35th Congress.
According to Gus Lilur, NU needs a figure of a cleric who has scientific capacity, leadership experience, and international reputation to bring the organization to face the increasingly complex national and global challenges.
In addition to supporting Nasaruddin Umar as the General Chair of PBNU, Gus Lilur also encouraged Prof. Dr. KH Said Aqil Siradj to fill the position of Rais Aam PBNU.
"Both are original professors, genuine ulama, true scholars who can make NU famous on the global stage. NU is rich in figures - don't let those who appear be just that because of political factors," said Gus Lilur, Wednesday, June 18.
According to the kiai from Situbondo, East Java, the 35th NU Congress must be a momentum to return the organization to the spirit of the struggle of the ulama and the interests of the people, not just an arena of power struggle.
He reminded that the experience of the 34th NU Congress in Lampung in 2021 needed to be a lesson so that the process of leadership succession ran better and was able to maintain the organization's solidity.
"The 34th Lampung Congress must be a bitter lesson that must not be forgotten. Choosing the wrong leader, the impact is very fatal for NU - the organization is divided, dragged into the current of corruption and power lust," he said.
Gus Lilur menilai sosok Nasaruddin Umar memiliki kombinasi keulamaan, kecendekiaan, dan pengalaman pemerintahan yang dibutuhkan NU saat ini. Selain menjabat Menteri Agama, Nasaruddin dikenal sebagai Imam Besar Masjid Istiqlal dan tokoh yang aktif dalam berbagai forum dialog lintas agama di tingkat internasional.
According to him, NU needs a leader who is able to maintain the dignity of the organization while strengthening the strategic role of NU in national life.
He also assessed that the future NU leaders must have a commitment to national unity and be able to keep the organization in a position as a glue of the nation.
"NU is part of the founders of this republic. Therefore, every major decision of NU must always be asked: what does it mean for the integrity of the nation?" he said.
In his view, the 35th NU Congress is not only about leadership change, but also determining the direction of the organization for the long term.
Therefore, he hopes that the kiai and participants in the muktamar will choose leaders based on their scientific capacity, integrity, and record of service, not merely political considerations.
Gus Lilur also reminded the importance of emulating the spirit of the founders of the nation who prioritize national interests above the interests of groups.
"The spirit of the Jakarta Charter is the way of thinking of an Islamic leader: choosing the greater interest over the interests of oneself and one's group. It is this spirit that must be present in the election room of the congress," he said.
According to Gus Lilur, NU has many qualified figures who are able to make the organization appear stronger at the national and international levels. Therefore, the 35th NU Congress must be a momentum to present a leadership that is authoritative, knowledgeable, and able to keep NU on the path of the ulama's struggle.
"This is not just about today. This is about the future of NU and the people. We want to return to the path of the ulama, or continue to be dragged by the currents of power - that's what's at stake," he concluded.
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