The representative of NU members and village Kiai, HRM Khalilur R\nAbdullah Sahlawiy, highlighted the dynamics ahead of the 35th Nahdlatul\nUlama (NU) Congress, which has been heating up as several candidate\nnames and political camps have emerged. He pointed to narratives about\nobtaining the rulers\u2019 blessing or candidates\u2019 closeness to state\nnetworks in the race for Rais Aam and the Chairman of PBNU. He described\nsuch narratives as a grave mistake that also wounds history.<\/p>\n
\u201cNU is not an organisation born from the womb of state power. On the\ncontrary, this country was built thanks to the contributions of NU\nulama. Therefore, it feels inappropriate for NU leaders to first obtain\nthe blessing of rulers of a state whose country itself was founded with\nthe help of NU kiais,\u201d he said in a statement on Wednesday (20 May\n2026).<\/p>\n
Khalilur reminded us of the essence of Indonesia\u2019s founding history.\nAccording to him, the moral legitimacy of kiais in villages through\nprayers and fatwas formed a solid foundation when the bureaucratic and\nmilitary structures of Indonesia were not yet strong in the early days\nof independence.<\/p>\n
The harmonious relationship between President Sukarno and Hadratus\nSyeikh KH Hasyim Asy\u2019ari stands as a real example of how umara (state\nleaders) show high regard for ulama.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat comes to the kiai is the president. It is not the kiai who\ncomes to seek the president\u2019s blessing. There, there is etiquette, there\nis historical awareness. There is respect that the ulama are not\nsubordinates of power, but a source of the nation\u2019s moral authority,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
This historical role is also evidenced by the Resolusi Jihad of 22\nOctober 1945, which mobilised Laskar Hizbullah and Sabilillah to defend\nindependence. Khalilur said that after Indonesia became sovereign, the\nkiais returned to pesantren to nurture the people without being drawn\ninto a contest for state power.<\/p>\n
Given this record, Khalilur strongly protested signs of conditioning\nsupport, the use of bureaucratic networks, or involvement of state\napparatus to steer future PBNU leadership. He warned that such actions\nare unethical for the organisation\u2019s prestige.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he believes that President Prabowo Subianto is a\nstatesman who will respect NU\u2019s independence by not interfering in the\nsuccession of its leadership. He also cited the words of Indonesia\u2019s\nfourth President, KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), on the importance of\nkeeping a safe distance from power.<\/p>\n
\u201cGus Dur warned that religion should not be used as a tool to\nlegitimise power. For when a religious organisation becomes too close to\npower, it gradually loses its critical voice and its moral authority,\u201d\nKhalilur added.<\/p>\n
He emphasised that the 35th NU Congress must be a test of the\nindependence of Nahdliyin in charting their own course without external\npressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe NU Congress of the 35th is therefore not merely a forum to elect\nthe Chairman and the Rais Aam. It is a major test of this organisation\u2019s\nindependence. What is at stake is the marwah (dignity) of NU as the\nnation\u2019s moral force,\u201d he concluded. (H-2)<\/p>\n
HRM Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy notes the emergence of several major\ncamps ready to contest votes in the forum\u2019s highest body.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nus-35th-congress-expected-to-be-free-from-interference-1779543019", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }