Nahdlatul Ulama launches its Centennial March at a gathering of nearly two million men, women, and children
“Let’s strengthen our intent
and forge an unbreakable determination
to continuously perform good deeds,
increasing our service to God and humanity.
“Spreading love and compassion to all of creation
and building a new and noble civilization
for the sake of peace and happiness together,
acting in accord with the will of Allah, the Great
‘One,’ and receiving His blessings.”
~ Nahdlatul Ulama Centennial March
Lyrics by KH. A. Mustofa Bisri
SIDOARJO, East Java, Indonesia — On 7 February 2023, the world’s largest Muslim organization released the Nahdlatul Ulama Centennial March (music video above) to celebrate its 100th anniversary according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
The song — whose lyrics were composed by the revered religious scholar, poet, painter, and Muslim intellectual KH. A. Mustofa Bisri — was performed by a live orchestra at a massive event attended by the President of Indonesia and a crowd of nearly two million NU followers, who converged upon the small town of Sidoarjo to take part in the centennial celebrations.
The audience included twelve thousand elite members of Banser — selected from among NU’s eight-million-member militia — who gathered upon the playing field of Gelora Delta Stadium to participate in the March’s carefully choreographed inaugural performance, led by Addie Muljadi Sumaatmadja, conductor of the Twilite Orchestra.
Nahdlatul Ulama Centennial March may be viewed with Arabic, Indonesian, and English subtitles. The song’s lyrics — which embody Nahdlatul Ulama’s inclusive, multi-ethnic, and multireligious variety of benevolent nationalism — may be read below.
Nahdlatul Ulama Centennial March
SubhãnaLlãh, Allãhu Akbar
God, the Most Great, is above all imperfection.
Nahdlatul Ulama has reached a milestone:
a century of service to God and humanity.
It’s been a hundred years since NU awakened.
Ulama and their followers
loyally guarding the creed,
and consistently following the example,
of their Prophet.
Alhamdulillah, all praise be to God!
Ulama and their followers
loyally and consistently safeguarding
the religion, land, and people of Indonesia.
Let’s strengthen our intent
and forge an unbreakable determination
to continuously perform good deeds,
increasing our service to God and humanity.
Spreading love and compassion to all of creation
and building a new and noble civilization
for the sake of peace and happiness together,
acting in accord with the will of Allah, the Great “One,”
and receiving His blessings.
Addie MS conducting the Nahdlatul Ulama Centennial March at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java. Note: access to the stadium was strictly limited while President Joko Widodo was in attendance, to ensure crowd safety.
The lyrics of Nahlatul Ulama’s original march, Hubbul Wathon Minal Iman (Love of Nation is Integral to Faith), were composed nearly a century ago by NU co-founder KH. Wahab Chasbullah
Love of Nation is Integral to Faith
Oh, fellow citizens!
Love of nation is integral to faith
And it’s not forbidden [in Islam] to defend one’s country
Oh, fellow citizens! Awake and realize (your duty to God and country)
Indonesia is my nation and my homeland
My sacred inheritance and source of pride
Whoever comes to threaten you shall certainly perish beneath your thorns
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First International Convention on Islamic Jurisprudence for a Global Civilization