Sarmuji: The NU Character We Have Understood is Moderate, Tolerant, and Just
Jombang, VIVA – The Secretary-General of the Golkar Party, Muhammad Sarmuji, stated that the thoughts of KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah contained in the book ‘Penyirep Gemuruh’ remain relevant in addressing various social issues today.
Sarmuji made these remarks while serving as a speaker during the book dissection of ‘Penyirep Gemuruh’ by KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah at the Masjid Gedang PPBU (Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School) in Tambakberas, Jombang, on Saturday night, 29 August 2026.
The event, organised by the East Java Pesantren Study Centre (PSP), is part of a series of activities to celebrate the 35th Muktamar of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). Alongside Sarmuji, the session featured two other speakers: Ayung Notonegoro from the Pegon Banyuwangi Community, and Fathul H. Panatapraja, the translator and author of the ‘Penyirep Gemuruh’ translation.
In his presentation, Sarmuji revealed that the stories within ‘Penyirep Gemuruh’ demonstrate the NU character in resolving problems, particularly through a moderate approach and by prioritising deliberation (musyawarah).
According to him, KH Wahab Hasbullah successfully resolved conflicts regarding the expansion of the Peneleh Mosque in Surabaya using methods that reflect the core values of NU, namely tawassuth, tawazun, tasamuh, and i’tidal.
“The NU character that we have understood all this time is tawassuth, tawazun, tasamuh, and i’tidal. That is, moderate, tolerant, tawazun which is balanced, and i’tidal which is just,” said Sarmuji, as quoted on Sunday, 30 August 2026.
Sarmuji explained that one of Mbah Wahab’s exemplary qualities was his ability to accommodate various opinions when seeking solutions. He did not only consider the views of jurisprudence experts but also listened to opinions from other parties with specific expertise.
For Sarmuji, KH Wahab Hasbullah’s method of resolving conflict serves as an example of how issues can be settled through a peaceful approach, avoiding confrontation and instead seeking common ground.
He assessed that Mbah Wahab’s thoughts still hold strong relevance to the current state of society, which faces various forms of turbulence and differing viewpoints.
According to Sarmuji, Mbah Wahab’s philosophy provides a lesson that conflicts do not always have to be resolved by magnifying differences, but rather through dialogue, balance, and the pursuit of collective solutions.
Meanwhile, Ayung Notonegoro, the discoverer of the ancient manuscript ‘Penyirep Gemuruh’ from the Pegon Banyuwangi Community, shared the long journey involved in finding the book.