When the Dutch wanted to regain control of Indonesia by piggybacking on the allies who attacked Surabaya, the clerics in East Java and Madura led by KH. Hasyim Asyari, issued a fatwa on jihad, which mandated Muslims to defend Indonesia's independence. This fatwa later became known as the Jihad Resolution.
We can imagine that if the ulama (Islamic scholars) did not care about the nation and state, Indonesia would certainly be colonized and controlled by foreign powers again. The blessing of this fatwa then sparked resistance from the people, resulting in the defeat and retreat of the Dutch, who were piggybacking on their allies, in Surabaya. This culminated in November 10, 1945, which is now commemorated as Heroes' Day.
KH. Solahuddin Wahid (Gus Solah), the caretaker of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, said in his foreword to the book "Ulama and Islamic Boarding Schools: Leaving an Independent Indonesia" Quoting Douwes Dekker, he said that if there were no kiayi and Islamic boarding schools, the patriotism of the people of the archipelago, who later became the Indonesian nation, would fall apart.
Prof. Ahmad Mansyur Suryanegara records the facts and history of the role of ulama and santri towards independence and their intellectual contributions in his book. Fire of History 1 (one). What is the role and leadership of Islamic scholars and students in the struggle to uphold the sovereignty of the nation and state in responding to attacks by Western and Eastern imperialists.
If we read the facts and realities of the role of ulama and santri in fighting for and maintaining Indonesian independence, it can be said that in the future the role of ulama and santri should not be seen as a marginal contribution, but rather they should be appreciated and recognized as an intellectual force that will always be loyal to maintaining the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
May the commemoration of National Santri Day, which falls on October 22nd each year, broaden our intellectual horizons to the crucial role of ulama and santri in the struggle for independence and the eradication of colonialism. This colonialism, undermined by foreign hegemony, has sought to parasitize this nation. Happy Santri Day!
Wallahu'alam bis Showaab
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