Nahdlatul Ulama

Nahdlatul Ulama
Nahdlatul Ulama · Public domain · source
Name	Nahdlatul Ulama
Native name	Nahdlatul Ulama
Formation	1926
Founder	Hasyim Asy'ari; Abdul Wahab Hasbullah
Type	Religious organization
Headquarters	Surabaya, East Java
Region served	Indonesia

Nahdlatul Ulama is a major traditionalist Sunni Islamic organization founded in 1926 that has played a central role in Indonesian social, religious, and political life. It emerged amid debates involving Sarekat Islam, Muhammadiyah, Budi Utomo, People's Party (Partai Rakyat), and colonial institutions such as the Dutch East Indies administration and the Ethical Policy. The organization has influenced leaders like Abdurrahman Wahid, Hasan Basri, Hasyim Asy'ari, Wahid Hasyim, and institutions including University of Islam (UIN), Gontor, Al-Azhar University, and Darul Ulum.

History

Nahdlatul Ulama traces origins to pesantren networks and kyai figures such as Hasyim Asy'ari, Abdul Wahab Hasbullah, Wahab Hasbullah, Mas Mansur, and interactions with movements like Sarekat Islam, Muhammadiyah, Nahdatul Ulama (early factions), and colonial-era actors including the Dutch East Indies, Ethical Policy, and Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies. During the Indonesian National Revolution leaders such as Sukarno, Hatta, Sjahrir, Tan Malaka, and militias like Laskar Hizbullah intersected with the organization’s networks. In the post-independence era NU navigated relationships with political entities like Masyumi Party, Masjumi, Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, Golkar, and figures including Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and periods such as the New Order (Indonesia). Throughout the late 20th century NU engaged with educational reforms influenced by Tafsir, Fiqh, and exchanges with Al-Azhar University, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Baghdad, and regional actors like Aceh, West Java, Central Java, and East Java.

Organization and Leadership

The organizational structure includes a governing board model with bodies such as the Syuriah, Tanfidziyah, regional councils in provinces like East Java, Central Java, West Java, and branches interacting with municipal administrations in Surabaya, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Banten. Historically prominent leaders include Hasyim Asy'ari, Abdurrahman Wahid, Wahab Hasbullah, KH. Salahuddin Wahid, Sayyid Ahmad Al-Busyiri, and recent chairs linked to political coalitions involving Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, Democratic Party (Indonesia), Golkar, and public figures such as Amien Rais and Prabowo Subianto. NU’s governance interfaces with institutions like Lajnah Bahtsul Masail, Majelis Ulama Indonesia, Kementerian Agama (Indonesia), DPR (Indonesia), and networks of pesantren such as Gontor and Pondok Modern Darussalam.

Religious Doctrine and Educational Activities

Doctrinally NU is rooted in Ash'ari theology, Shafi'i jurisprudence, Sufi tariqas linked to figures like Imam al-Ghazali, Ibn Arabi, Rumi, and Indonesian kyai traditions including Hasyim Asy'ari and Ahmad Dahlan. The movement’s pesantren system teaches subjects related to Tafsir al-Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh al-Shafi'i, Aqidah, and Sufi practices associated with orders like the Naqshbandi and Qadiriyya. Educational links extend to institutions such as Al-Azhar University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Zaytuna College, Darul Uloom Deoband, and national universities including Universitas Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University. NU’s scholarly councils, like Lajnah Bahtsul Masail and ulama networks including Majelis Ulama Indonesia, adjudicate fatwas and curricula in dialogue with bodies such as Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan (Indonesia), UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and local pesantren leadership.

Social and Political Role

NU has acted as a major social force interacting with nationalist leaders like Sukarno, Hatta, and activists from Pemuda (youth movements), negotiating positions with parties such as Masyumi Party, Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa, Golkar, and movements like Darul Islam and PRRI/Permesta. It has produced statesmen including Abdurrahman Wahid (who served as President of Indonesia), engaged in political debates during the New Order (Indonesia), and participated in electoral politics alongside figures such as Megawati Sukarnoputri, Amien Rais, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and Prabowo Subianto. NU’s social programs collaborate with civil society actors like Nahdlatul Ulama Youth, Fatayat NU, GP Ansor, Banser, and humanitarian organizations including Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center and international NGOs such as Islamic Relief and Red Cross.

Economic and Social Services

NU administers cooperative and welfare initiatives through institutions such as Baitul Maal wa Tamwil units, pesantren-based enterprises connected with local economies in East Java, Central Java, and Banten, and partners with development agencies like Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and UNDP on poverty alleviation. Social service arms include health clinics, orphanages, and zakat channels coordinated with entities like Baznas, Dompet Dhuafa, PKPU, and microfinance programs reflecting models from Baitul Mal practices and community cooperatives. NU-linked businesses and foundations engage in vocational training, agricultural projects, and disaster response in collaboration with provincial governments of Jawa Timur and Jawa Tengah and NGOs including CARE International and Save the Children.

International Relations and Networks

NU maintains ties with international Islamic institutions such as Al-Azhar University, Zaytuna College, Istanbul Şehir University, King Saud University, and engages with multilateral forums including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, United Nations, ASEAN, and interfaith initiatives involving Vatican, World Council of Churches, and global NGOs. Transnational links include cooperation with Darul Islam (South Asia), Deobandi networks, Sufi orders like the Chishti, and academic exchanges with universities including Harvard University, Oxford University, SOAS University of London, and Australian National University. NU’s international outreach involves migration issues affecting workers in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, and diplomatic engagement with missions of United States, China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Category:Islam in Indonesia