Lakpesdam NU committed to defend NU's 1926 Khittah

Makassar, NU Online
One of the main mandates of the establishment of Nahdlatul Ulama Institute for Human Resource Study and Development (Lakpesdam NU) is to guard NU as a religious social organization. The Lakpesdam NU was established following the decision of the Indonesian biggest Muslim organization to back to the 1926 Khittah as a religious social organization and not to involve in any political parties.

Hilmy Ali, who also participated in the birth of the NU's autonomous body in 1985, made the statement in an informal meeting held by Makassar's Lakpesdam NU over the weekend.<>

The son of the former chairman of the supreme council of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, KH Ali Yafie said, Lakpesdam NU should keep away from political parties having so far been involving NU board members.

Hilmy was of view that the Lakpesdam NU was born to especially promote the Nahdliyin-based organization as a religious social organization rather than a political party.

He said that so far there had been many NU figures involving themselves in political parties. He was deeply concerned over the unexpected scene. “I hope all friends in Lakpesdam to keep maintaining its initial mandate. Lakpesdam NU may not give up”.

“Keeping maintaining the mandate is not easy and littered with tendencies either practical politics or funds from donor countries,” Hilmy said, adding that though “we cannot avoid from the funding, but we are obliged to be aware that they have hidden agenda”.

“They (donor countries) are part of global capitalism projects,” the Pinrang-born NU's activist said, adding that Indonesia should be independent “and we can start from now.”

In the meantime Hilmy viewed that the Lakpesdam NU was not such an allegedly liberal group. “Liberalism is part of capitalism, the capitalism is other name of modernism and Lakpesdam NU is not in line with all this”.

While the Director of the Central Board of Lakpesdam NU, Hj. Lilis Nurul Husna hoped the Sunday's informal meeting to be such medium in sharing information with one another. In turn, she added, there would be inspiration to do positive things for the sake of NU.

The meeting was attended by some 32 Lakpesdam NU's activists coming from regions such as Lamongan, Kediri, Jepara, Cilacap, Wonososbo, Parepare, Bulukamba, Makassar, Gunung Kidul, and Bantul. (zah)