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