Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Inauguration of the 2023 Ulema National Conference and Nahdlatul Ulama Grand Conference at Al-Hamid Islamic Boarding School, Jakarta Special Capital Region, September 18, 2023
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, Alhamdulillahirabbil ‘alamin, washalatu wasalamu ‘ala asrafil ambiya’i wal mursalin, sayyidina wa habibina wa syafiina wa maulana Muhammadin, wa ‘ala alihi washahbihi ajma’in. Amma ba’du. [This is introduction of speech in islamic fashion]
Distinguished Rais ‘Aam of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board Kiai (PBNU) Haji Miftachul Akhyar,
Distinguished Ibu Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid (Spouse of the 4rd President of the Republic of Indonesia),
Distinguished Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) Puan Maharani, Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, Ambassadors of Friendly Countries, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) and Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri),
Distinguished Chairperson of PBNU Kiai Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf,
Distinguished Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Kiai Haji Anwar Iskandar,
Distinguished masyayikh (Muslim religious scholars), ulamas, habaib, kiai, heads of Islamic boarding schools and all regional board of NU all over Indonesia; Distinguished Head of Al Hamid Islamic Boarding School Kiai Haji Lukman Hakim,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We just sang together the song Yalal Waton:
Indonesia negeriku
Engkau panji martabatku
Siapa datang mengancammu
‘Kan binasa di bawah durimu.
It was amazing. The song shows NU’s strong commitment in protecting Indonesia, in preserving Pancasila, in safeguarding the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), in maintaining tolerance, and in promoting unity and harmony. On behalf of the people, the nation, and the country, I would like to thank all Ulemas, clerics, masyayikh, and the big family of NU.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
NU has an extraordinary strength. It also has a vast membership spread across all over Indonesia and even in various countries. The great potentials [of the NU] should be consolidated and well-organized and the quality must be improved in social, religion and humanity sectors, as well as in science and technology sectors in the professional and business communities. I agree and support what is currently being done and will be done by PBNU.
Digitalization can serve as the gateway to consolidate the strength that NU has, both the potentials at home and abroad. We all realize that the conditions of Nahdliyin (the followers of NU) at the grassroots level need to be supported. The Government warmly welcomes the initiative of PBNU in forming GKMNU, the Nahdlatul Ulama Family Welfare Movement, which is crucial for improving the quality of Indonesian families, especially for Nahdliyin at the grassroots level.
In addition, there are also many young Nahdliyin who are actively involved at the global level. Many are studying abroad. Many are learning new sciences, new technologies. Many are learning Artificial Intelligence, precision medicine. And many are learning the future world, the knowledge of the future, without losing their identity as Muslims, without losing their identity as Nahdliyin.
This is a great strength of NU to face the future. They should be connected to the community at the grassroots level. They should be part of the solution for Nahdliyin at the grassroots level and bring welfare to the community.
Therefore, I support the initiative of Kyai Haji Yahya Staquf, Chairperson of PBNU, to carry out digitalization. In addition to helping improve the organization’s work processes, the digitization will also connect Nahdliyin worldwide to share commitments, to join hands, to collectively improve themselves, and to seek solutions for Indonesia and the welfare of the people.
The Government supports the improvement of educational quality of NU. As mentioned by Gus Yahya, University of NU (UNU) owned by PBNU is being built with nine floors. 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 a productive building.
However, it is not only the building that is important, but the program. I hope UNU can serve as a locomotive that attracts other NU’s higher education institutions to learn science and technology so that [the students] can compete to be professional experts, to be entrepreneurs, while upholding the value of NU.
UNU Jogja is being facilitated for the collaboration with the United Arab Emirates. Just two weeks ago, I also spoke with His Excellency MBZ at the G20 Summit in India. I talked for half an hour, and I remembered him this issue. “Yes, Mr. President, it’s still in progress,” his replied.
This month, UAE’s Minister Suhail will be sent to visit Indonesia. So, currently, UNU Jogja is being facilitated for collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, and the establishment of the MBZ School of Future Studies is in progress. There are plans to build a new building next to it [UNU building]. I also requested a ninth floor so that it will become a twin building demonstrating Indonesia’s closeness to the Islamic world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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.
By saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially inaugurate the 2023 Ulema National Conference and Nahdlatul Ulama Grand Conference.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(AP/EP)