NU's contribution

NU's contribution

Why is it that a national conference of a social-political or
social-religious organization such as the Muhammadiyah or
Nahdatul Ulama (NU) always attracts so much public attention?
Each time such questions arise we are inclined to retort that
perhaps it is because those organizations have been with us for a
long time. They have had time to grow and take root and their
significance, their roles and their involvement in public life
has come to be intensely observed, both emotionally and
rationally.

The social-religious organization Nahdatul Ulama, which began
its national congress in Cipasung, near Tasikmalaya in West Java,
on Thursday, must confront the challenge and responsibility of
revitalizing its activities in order to help create a climate
that is conducive to transformation. The transformation that is
desired by its followers as well as by this nation and this
country as a whole is a result of the demands generated by
progress and the challenges of the times.

Among NU's followers and also among Indonesians as a whole the
need for creativity, for ideas and for vision is strongly felt as
we attempt to absorb, traditionalize and give greater meaning to
the process and the fruits of our development efforts.

-- Kompas, Jakarta