NU Bali and NTT Support Gus Rozin's 'Middle Axis' Vision for Nahdlatul Ulama Unity

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman candidate KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin, known as Gus Rozin, has put forward the idea of a ‘middle path’ as a way to ease polarisation and maintain unity within the organisation ahead of its 35th congress. The proposal emerged during a dialogue between Gus Rozin and NU officials from Bali and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Monday (10/8).

In the forum, a representative of the Rois Syuriah from Sumba expressed confidence that support from the NTT and Bali regions was increasingly solid behind Gus Rozin. He also asked for clarification on the stance Gus Rozin would take if entrusted with leading PBNU amid the internal dynamics and differing views developing within the organisation.

Responding to this, Gus Rozin stressed that he did not want the PBNU chairman candidacy to become part of a contest between factions. According to the son of the late KH MA Sahal Mahfudh, Rais ’Aam of PBNU from 1999 to 2014, differences of opinion are natural in a large organisation like NU. However, these differences must be managed so that they do not develop into polarisation that threatens ukhuwah Nahdliyah.

“The middle path is not a path to confront anyone. The middle path is a way to bring together various parties, ease tensions, and return NU to its greater interests, namely ukhuwah Nahdliyah and the continuity of khidmah jam’iyyah,” said Gus Rozin, as quoted on Tuesday (11/8).

Gus Rozin emphasised that the middle path he was offering was not intended to form a new group in the PBNU leadership contest. On the contrary, the idea was directed at finding common ground among the various forces within NU.

“The most important thing is not who wins or who loses. The most important thing is that NU remains intact, brotherhood is maintained, and the jam’iyyah is able to continue its khidmah,” said Gus Rozin, who previously served as chairman of RMI PBNU from 2015 to 2021.

According to Gus Rozin, NU’s future leadership requires the ability to place the interests of the organisation above group interests. He also reminded that NU has a long history as a religious civil society organisation that grew out of the community.

“Therefore, NU must maintain an independent position in carrying out its social functions,” Gus Rozin stressed.

In the context of relations with the state, Gus Rozin proposed that NU position itself as a friend of the government. According to him, being a friend of the government does not mean losing critical capacity. NU can cooperate with the government while also providing correction when public policy does not align with the interests of the community.

“NU must be a friend of the government. A friend can support, but a friend must also dare to remind,” he said.

In this position, NU can still contribute to national development without losing its control function as a religious civil society force. Gus Rozin assessed that this position is increasingly important as NU enters its second century. According to him, NU must become a big home capable of bringing together ulama, congregants, communities, the government, and various elements of society in a spirit of brotherhood and common good.

“NU must become a big home for religious civil society that safeguards national unity while fighting for the welfare of the ummah and humanity,” he concluded.