NU and political party

NU and political party

From Merdeka

An ad in a newspaper in Jakarta said "a book is a drop of knowledge". Then it is very fortunate for anyone who possess the book Nahdlatul Ulama vis a vis negara (Nahdlatul Ulama vis a vis the state), written by Andree Feillard.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is one of the biggest social Islamic organizations besides Muhammadiyah and Al-Jam'iyatul Washliyah. Some media report once made a comment on NU and Islam; to the effect that this organization has never supported anyone for any purpose because NU perceives that such support is only the concern of political parties, not a social organization like NU.

The NU's younger generation is getting more advanced in dealing with social issues which have never been touched by their predecessor.

However, it is confusing when a great ulema says "Politics must not go into the mosque." Such things are not to be found either in the Koran or in the Hadiths. Such a statement indicates that the speaker still lacks the true perception on the teachings of Allah. As a matter of fact, the NU youth should regard themselves as an integral part of the present reform order, and as such, they should be proactive and openly involved in politics, anticipating challenges and crises the republic has to face.

SUNGKOWO SOKAWERA

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