NAHDLATUL ULAMA - the background

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia. It was established on January 31, 1926, (Rajab 16, 1344 of Islamic Calendar) in Surabaya. This Organization was legalized on February 6, 1930 as registered in Besluit Rechtsperson No. IX year 1930, then renewed by the Decree of Minister for Justice of Republic of Indonesia No. C2-7028. HT.01.05.TH.89. in 1989.The born of NU were derived mainly from a long struggle of a number of ulemas who run pesantren* The ulemas organized a concerted effort and endeavored to conserve and preserve Islamic religious culture in addition to maintain and promote the spirit of nationalism in response to the excessive pressure of the prevailing colonial power.Initially, it was in 1916 when KH. Abdul Wahab Hasbullah and KH. Mas Mansyur (then became Muhammadiyah figure) established Nahdlatul Wathon (the Awakening of Homeland) in Surabaya. Two years later, with KH. Dahlan Ahyad, they established what called as Tashwirul Afkar in the same city. Both institutions constituted educational vehicle in the field of religion, organization, and national struggle. In the same year, KH. Wahab again took an initiative to establish Nahdlatut Tujjar (the Awakening of Merchants), an economic institution aimed at improving the prosperity of Muslim population through developing business of common people. This institution was then chaired by KH. Muhammad Hasyim Asy'ari.As time passing by, the need of establishing a new organization had been increasingly urgent when the Fourth AI-Islam Congress at Yogyakarta in 1925 revealed that the new ruler of Hijaz land, King Ibnu Sa'ud, intended to organize Muktamar 'Alam Islami (Islamic World Conference) in July 1926. Congress disagreement to ask Ibnu Sa'ud for freedom and tolerance of traditional religious practices appreciation in his land had disappointed KH. Abdul Wahab Hasbullah and his fellows. So they endeavored to look for alternative solution. As a result, Komite Hijaz (Hijaz Committee) was formed to prepare separate delegates who would be charged to meet King Ibnu Sa'ud and propose their aspiration. Then, on January 26, 1926, the Committee's meeting gave birth to a new organization called as Nahdlatul Ulama (the Awakening of Ulemas) with KH. Muhammad Hasyim Asy'ari as Rais Akbar (the great leader).