Solo, CNN Indonesia —
Minister of Religion Ruby Cholil Qoumas clarified his statement calling the Ministry of Religion a gift for Nahdlatul Ulama (NOT). Yaqut said his statement in the internal forum of the NU extended family was to motivate students and pesantren.
He regretted that the statement became public consumption, causing a polemic in the community.
Yaqut said his statement was made during the Robitah Ma’ahid Islamiyah and PBNU Webinar in commemoration of Santri Day. The webinar was broadcast live on TVNU’s Youtube channel on Wednesday (20/10).
“I said that in an internal forum. I don’t know how it was fried in public,” he said after opening the 2021 Annual International Conference on Islamic Studies (AICIS) at The Sunan Hotel, Solo, Monday (25/10).
“The point is, it’s limited to encouraging the students and Islamic boarding schools. It’s like a conversation between a husband and wife, this world belongs to both of us, the others are just boarding, because it’s conveyed internally,” he added.
Yaqut explained that by motivating santri and Nahdliyyin in general, NU is expected to remain open because it has received a gift from the state.
“NU must return to its identity. Even though NU is given something, NU must remain open. NU must remain inclusive and give itself to the greater interest,” he said.
Despite declaring the Ministry of Religion as a gift to NU, Yaqut ensured that the institutions he led remained inclusive. All policies are taken by considering all religions and groups.
“It can be proven, is there a Ministry of Religion policy that is intended only for NU? Nothing,” he said.
Not only that, he also mentioned that officials at the Ministry of Religion also came from various groups and religions.
“The Director General of PHU (Organization of Hajj and Umrah) is from Muhammadiyah. The Inspectorate General (inspectorate general) of the Ministry of Religion is also the same, not from NU,” he said.
(syd/pmg)
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