Jakarta, NU Online
Nahdliyin community (NU followers) living in Islamic boarding school (pesantren) milieu can be popularly considered as traditionalists: old-fashioned, rigid, and conservative. Nonetheless, the its connotation is not absolutely appropriate. The term can be understood as a consistency to maintain pesantren traditions such as reading and writing (yellow book).

The statement above was said by the Chairman of Ma’arif Educational Institution of Nahdlatul Ulama (LP Ma’arif), Dr H A Fathoni Rodli M.Pd when speaking at a book launching forum entitled: To Enhance Teachers’ Profession; Chronological Analysis on Teachers and Lecturers’ Bill” written by Asrorun Ni’am at the National Library on Friday (13/10).

<>Present on the occasion, former activist of Nahdlatul Ulama Student Association (IPNU), Dr H Fasli Djalal PhD (Director-General on Quality Improvement and Educational Personnel RI), Prof Dr Suriani MA (State University of Jakarta), and so on.

Fathoni explained that the word of traditionalist that is derived from the word of tradition. It means that “Traditional, derived from the word of tradition, in this context, means maintaining knowledge tradition. Talking about knowledge,  pesantrens have for long time ago preserved it on reading and writing,” he said.

So it’s not surprised, Fathoni added, if a santri (pesantren student) is capable of writing and publishing such a work as the writer of the book. (rif)