Dr KH Achmad Hasyim Muzadi

Dr KH Achmad Hasyim Muzadi

Chairman of Indonesia's Nahdlatul Ulama

Dr KH Achmad Hasyim Muzadi is the leader of Indonesia's largest independent Muslim organization and one of the world's most influential Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), or 'Awakening of Scholars'. He guides millions through his work with the NU.

Head of Expansive Network

The Nahdlatul Ulama boasts an expansive network that covers 30 regions with 339 branches, 12 special branches, 2,630 representative councils and 37,125 sub-branch representative councils across Indonesia.

This network practices the doctrine of Ahlassunah wal Jama'ah, which is Arabic for 'people of the Sunna (practices of the Prophet Muhammad) and the community'. They base their practices on the traditional sources of Islamic jurisprudence—mainly the Qur’an, Hadith, and major schools of law.

Among its aims are the propagation of Nahdlatul Ulama's message and also an expansion of its already extensive network of members in Indonesia. This is the basis of many of the organization's social reform efforts. With a solid structure of central and regional boards, branch and special branch boards, and various advisory councils, Muzadi sits at the top of this increasingly influential Sunni movement.

Model of Traditionalism

With a mainly rural membership base, the Nahdlatul Ulama distinguishes itself from other Islamic organizations in Indonesia by positioning itself as a premier organization of traditional Islam—with an emphasis on education and political engagement based on Islamic principles. Muzadi also speaks up against edicts of the Indonesia Ulema Council that are inconsistent with the legal leniency of Islamic law, such as the recent fatwas (religious rulings) against smoking, and a subsequent proscription against Facebook.

Social Servant

The Nahdlatul Ulama has made substantial charitable contributions to Indonesian society in the fields of educational development, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. Although Muzadi stresses that the work of his organization is geared toward establishing a secular nation-state based on a body of modern and moderate Muslims; his agenda items— such as anti-corruption laws and social reform measures—are deeply rooted in Islamic principles.