NU clerics formulate five points to safeguard organisational khittah

Sidoarjo, East Java (ANTARA) - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) clerics have formulated five points resulting from a gathering of religious scholars, or halaqah, to encourage the organisation to safeguard its guiding principles, plans and direction, known as khittah, as its organisational foundation.

“This halaqah has produced five points that can serve as considerations at the upcoming NU Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, so that the organisation’s khittah is preserved,” said Professor KH Ahmad Subakir, Professor of Sociology of Religion at UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri, during the Halaqah Alim Ulama at Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Monday.

The five points formulated by at least 20 NU clerics in attendance include, firstly, affirming NU’s position as a religious organisation that upholds the role of ulama as the driving force of the organisation, capable of nurturing the community, safeguarding the congregation, and making the movement a vehicle for creating public benefit.

Secondly, Ahmad explained that the clerics expect NU to prioritise every decision by putting forward the welfare of the community while maintaining the continuity of the organisation, its traditions and the aspirations of Nahdlatul Ulama.

Fourthly, Ahmad said the clerics support NU leadership based on spiritual values that can be accountable to the community while fortifying the organisation with morality, intellect and integrity, so that it is not swept away by interests that could harm the organisation.

Lastly, he stated that the clerics are asking NU to prioritise policies and leadership steps based on the principle of preventing harm, in order to maintain the unity, dignity and continuity of NU.

Chairman of the East Java National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), KH Ali Maschan Moesa, said the clerics also urged that future NU leadership maintain a proportional distance from the government.

“We hope these five points can become the primary considerations at the 35th NU Congress in Jombang. We consider it important that the future NU leadership is not easily drawn into political interests, while still supporting government programmes and maintaining distance so that its oversight function can operate properly,” said Maschan.