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Pesantren Law another notch in NU’s belt
The law represents another win for Nahdlatul Ulama, which operates most of the country’s pesantren.
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Hundreds of 'santri' (Islamic boarding school students) on Monday celebrated National Santri Day with a flash mob forming a picture of former president B.J. Habibie. (JP/Aman Rochman)
O
ver the past few days, santri (Islamic boarding school students) across the country have held parades and celebrations in honor of the upcoming National Santri Day on Tuesday.
In Blitar, East Java, thousands of santri held a march on Saturday while carrying posters bearing slogans “Let’s become santri!” and “Proud to be a santri!”
In Malang, meanwhile, santri celebrated with a flash mob forming a picture of former president B.J. Habibie on Monday.
This year, only the fourth ever observation of Santri Day, santri and pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) have an additional reason to celebrate: the recent passing of the Pesantren Law.
The law represents another win for the Islamic mass organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which operates most of the country’s pesantren and was a staunch supporter of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s reelection bid.
The establishment of National Santri Day itself was the result of a promise to NU in Jokowi’s first presidential campaign in 2014 and was meant to commemorate the declaration of the Jihad Resolution by Muslim cleric and NU founder Muhammad Hasyim Asy'ari on Oct. 22, 1945. In the declaration, Hasyim urged Muslims in the country to fight against Dutch forces to uphold the nation's independence.
Official results from the General Elections Commission (KPU) show that Jokowi’s 2019 election win was largely fueled by overwhelming wins in Central and East Java, which are considered NU strongholds, and NU has not been shy in collecting on the favor.
