Continue to improve capabilities, develop innovative ideas, and strengthen collaboration with various elements of the nation
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has urged Indonesia's largest Muslim-based organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), to optimize its potential at the national and international level.

He made the appeal at the inauguration of the Nahdlatul Ulama's executive board (PBNU) for the 2022–2027 period and the 96th-anniversary commemoration of NU in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Monday.

"NU's potential is huge and should be optimized, both at the national level and global. That potential should be converted as a real power in the context of service to religion, the nation, and the state," Amin said, according to a press statement issued by the press, media, and information bureau of the Vice Presidential Secretariat (BPMI Setwapres) on Monday.

He also encouraged all nahdliyin (NU members) to expand their skills in various sectors and support Indonesia's development.

"Continue to improve capabilities, develop innovative ideas, and strengthen collaboration with various elements of the nation," he remarked.

Amid the crisis presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NU must motivate Indonesians to remain optimistic so that efforts for post-pandemic recovery can run smoothly, he said.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo, who was also present at the event, encouraged NU to build an endowment fund to finance its flagship and innovative programs.

"NU needs to have its own venture capital by building an endowment fund. Hence, NU will have the power to finance flagship programs and innovative programs," the President explained.

In addition, he asked all NU activists to take part in various forums in various sectors such as religion, social, humanity, entrepreneurship, and economy.

The NU's 96th-anniversary event was also attended by Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani, and Jusuf Kalla, who served as the 10th and 12th vice president of Indonesia.

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Translator: Fransiska Ninditya, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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