President Jokowi Calls on NU to Join Hands in Realizing Golden Indonesia 2045

President Jokowi inaugurates the 2023 National Meeting of Alim Ulama and the Grand Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama, Monday (09/18) (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Monday (09/18) invited Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and other Islamic organizations to join ranks with the Government in addressing challenges the nation is facing and realizing the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.

“There are many other programs that the Government is implementing with Nahdlatul Ulama and other Islamic organizations because we are still facing numerous and uneasy challenges. However, with continued guidance of the ulama and kiai (religious leaders), insyaallah Indonesia can win the future, and we can realize the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045 and become a prosperous and blessed nation (baldatun tayyibatun warabbun ghafur),” President Jokowi said during Opening of the 2023 National Meeting of Alim Ulama and the Grand Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama at Al-Hamid Islamic Boarding School in East Jakarta, on Monday, (09/18).

The President also expressed gratitude to NU for improving the quality of human resources through its educational institutions, one of which by constructing a new building at the Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU) in Yogyakarta.

“At that time, I did not want to negotiate. It had to be nine floors because the number nine is important to NU. NU has nine stars and nine represents Wali Songo (Nine Saints of Islam in Indonesia). Alhamdulillah, the construction of nine-floor building has now been completed. The interior and furniture are almost finished. It has already started to be used although it has not been officially inaugurated. It means that it is productive building,” President Jokowi added.

The Head of State also expressed hope that the UNU Yogyakarta will serves as an engine that attracts many NU higher education institutions to learn science and technology and compete to become professionals and entrepreneurs who continue upholding values of NU.

“UNU Jogja is being facilitated for the collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and the establishment of the MBZ School of Future Studies is in progress. Plans are underway to build a new nine-floor building next to it so it will become a twin building, demonstrating Indonesia’s closeness to the Islamic world,” he said.

The President further said he would continue his support for the digitalization initiative carried out by the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) to enhance NU’s role not only in the fields of social, religious, and humanitarian affairs but also in the fields of science and technology, the professional world, and entrepreneurship. (FID/UN) (AP/EP)