Halal Bihalal: Said Invites East Java NU Figures to Make PDIP a Political Home

The East Java Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of PDI Perjuangan held a halal bihalal event at the DPD PDIP East Java office on Sunday (12/4). The gathering was attended by party officials as an opportunity to strengthen ties and foster closer relations.

In his address, Said Abdullah, Chairman of the DPD PDI Perjuangan East Java, invited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figures in East Java to regard PDI Perjuangan as a joint political home.

This invitation was made by emphasising the long-standing historical and sociological closeness between NU and PDIP, particularly in East Java. According to Said, this relationship is reflected in the “ijo-abang” social base that is deeply rooted down to the village level.

He described “ijo” as representing the santri circles closely associated with NU, while “abang” symbolises the nationalist strength identified with PDI Perjuangan.

“Both form the political roots down to the villages in East Java,” Said stated in his speech.

Furthermore, Said assessed that the differences between santri and abangan groups are not too significant. He portrayed both as sharing similar fates as societal groups still facing challenges in welfare, education, and access to decent employment.

“Essentially, they share the same sad stories. There are many similarities and few differences,” Said remarked.

He further affirmed that the Islamic values upheld by NU, particularly moderate Wasathiyah Islam, align with PDI Perjuangan’s line of struggle.

“These principles emphasise fairness, balance, tolerance, and rejection of all forms of extremism,” Said said.

In his view, the roles of NU and PDIP can complement each other. NU’s social duties empower NU members, while PDIP’s political tasks advocate for policies in local government, regional parliaments, and the national level to improve the welfare of NU members and the entire East Java population.

Said welcomed the involvement of NU figures in PDI Perjuangan. He cited several prominent individuals who have joined, both at the regional and national levels, as part of efforts to strengthen synergy between religious and political forces.

“We have Gus Wahab in East Java, KH Dr Abdullah Aswar Anas at the centre, and many more,” he said.

Thus, he invited other NU figures to engage in political ijtihad alongside PDIP.

“I hope the kiai, gus, bu nyai, and ning will join in political ijtihad, accompanying PDI Perjuangan, so that these children, who may have been lax in their worship before, become better. Thus, preaching and accompanying PDI Perjuangan brings multiplied rewards,” Said stated.

On this occasion, Said explained that the current halal bihalal practice was an idea from NU founder KH Wahab Hasbullah, grandfather of Gus Wahab—who is also Deputy Chairman of DPD PDI Perjuangan East Java—and Bung Karno.

In 1948, KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah introduced the term halal bihalal to Bung Karno as a way for political leaders to reconnect amid ideological political conflicts at the time. Indonesia was still young and needed national unity to resist the Dutch who sought to reoccupy the country.

Following KH Wahab’s suggestion, after Eid al-Fitr 1948, Bung Karno invited all political figures to the State Palace for a reconnection named halal bihalal. The political leaders eventually sat at the same table.

“Our predecessors always had super intelligent ideas to nurture unity. We must continue this good tradition,” he said.

Said believes the spirit of halal bihalal remains relevant today, especially amid modern challenges filled with information flows and potential disinformation.

He stressed the importance of upholding honesty, increasing verification, and strengthening ties as a bulwark against the “post-truth” phenomenon.

Because, amid rampant falsehoods, everyone needs to return to values of honesty and openness. Reconnection becomes a path to maintain clarity of thought and sincerity of heart.

“Politics is the same: consistent, fair from the mind, steadfast in struggle, not inciting here and there, always opening lines of connection, humble, and capable of clear thinking. Insya Allah, PDI Perjuangan will consistently uphold these values,” Said said.