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NU, Muhammadiyah affirm commitment to oppose identity politics ahead of election year
Warning against the danger of identity politics, chairmen of the two most influential Muslim organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, on Thursday joined hands in resisting the rise of primordialism ahead of the 2024 general election.
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Residents take iftar (fast breaking) foods distributed by a committee from the Dharma Bhakti Buddhist Temple in Petak Sembilan, Glodok, West Jakarta, on March 28. (Antara/Wahyu Putro A)
Warning against the danger of identity politics, chairmen of the two most influential Muslim organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, on Thursday joined hands in resisting the rise of primordialism ahead of the 2024 general election.
“We view identity politics as a danger to society because it could sow division within the public,” NU chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf told reporters in a press conference at NU headquarters in Central Jakarta on Thursday.
“I’ve always maintained that [NU] rejects the idea of Islam-based identity politics, or even NU-based identity politics for that matter.”
Echoing Yahya’s call, Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir pushed for what the two described as a moral leadership for the 2024 general election.
“Instead of a pragmatic struggle for power, we want a clear vision on what [the candidates and parties] have in mind for the nation based on the foundation laid by our founding fathers,” Haedar said at the same event.
Accompanied by several Muhammadiyah senior members, including general secretary Abdul Mu’ti and Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy chairman Anwar Abbas, Haedar arrived at NU headquarters on Thursday morning for a meeting with the NU leadership.
While NU and Muhammadiyah sometimes have differing opinions, Yahya maintained that the two organizations shared a harmonious relationship.
