NU empowers the neglected 'dayah'<\/p>\n
The grass roots of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest
\nMuslim organization, is found in Islamic boarding schools, known
\nas pesantren in Java or dayah in Aceh.<\/p>\n
Thus, in the wake of the Dec. 26 tsunami, the NU chose the
\ndayah in Aceh as the base of its humanitarian operation in the
\nregion.<\/p>\n
The partnership with dayah has facilitated much of the NU's
\nhumanitarian work in Aceh. Moreover, a good number of dayah
\nleaders are also executives of local NU branches.<\/p>\n
In addition, the NU is aware of the strategic position of
\ndayah in Aceh, chiefly following the application of Islamic law
\nor syariah in the region.<\/p>\n
Dayah, according to the NU, could contribute a lot to the
\nupholding of syariah in Aceh due to their comprehensive
\nunderstanding of syariah.<\/p>\n
Even so, the NU central board has observed that the strategic
\nposition of dayah in Aceh has been largely overlooked by the
\ngovernment and foreign donors.<\/p>\n
This is conspicuous in the government's master plan for Aceh's
\nreconstruction, which effectively excludes dayah from the
\nprocess. The situation has been worsened by foreign donors
\ndisinterest in supporting dayah.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, this has in no way discouraged the NU from
\nworking with dayah and empowering them to rebuild Aceh.<\/p>\n
Luckily, the NU continues to enjoy support for its endeavors
\nfrom a number of quarters, including from the Islamic Help of the
\nUnited Kingdom.<\/p>\n
With their endorsement, the NU has been able to implement four
\nmajor programs in Aceh. The first program lies in the education
\nsector, including rebuilding and providing facilities and
\ninfrastructure as well as scholarships.<\/p>\n
The second is in the health sector, including providing health
\nservices for tsunami survivors; the third is to empower survivors
\neconomically; and the fourth is concerned with reconstruction
\nprograms for survivors outside dayah.<\/p>\n
With the passage of time, the NU's relief operation in Aceh
\nhas shifted according to field requirements, from corpse
\nevacuation by its volunteers to providing health services and now
\nmoving to education and reconstruction programs.<\/p>\n
The program for children's education is now one of the NU's
\ntop priorities in Aceh in an effort to improve the prospects of
\nthe Acehnese people.<\/p>\n
On these grounds, scholarships are being provided through a
\nprogram that has the support of overseas donors, including
\nIslamic Help.<\/p>\n
With the aim of applying a transparent and accountable
\nmanagement system, the NU team is being assisted by a group of
\nauditors that oversee its financial management and performance.<\/p>\n
The transparency and accountability of aid fund management
\ntops the agenda of NU executives, to ensure that funds are
\nchanneled to the rightful beneficiaries and donors' trust is
\nmaintained.<\/p>\n
Besides the aid for tsunami survivors in Aceh, the NU has
\nmobilized aid and support for displaced people in Nias, North
\nSumatra. However, the NU's financial limitations have prevented
\nit from helping Nias' displaced people on the scale that it would
\nlike to.<\/p>\n
In fact, many other natural disaster victims outside Aceh and
\nNias have requested the NU's assistance, such as those in Java
\nand several other regions.<\/p>\n
Under such circumstances, the NU is always open to receive all
\nkinds of aid for further distribution to Indonesian people in
\ndisaster-stricken areas.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nu-empowers-the-neglected-dayah-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}