Advancing the discourse of Muslim politics in Indonesia: A study on political orientation of Kiai as religious elites in Nahdlatul Ulama

The present study was designed to investigate the political interactions of Kiai of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in the national political arena and its current impact on the Indonesian Muslim community. The data were garnered through interviews and focus group discussions with Kiai and related parties. The results of the study suggest that the political orientation of the Kiai of NU in Indonesia is oriented to pragmatism and oriented to piety idealism in politics based on Islamic ethics. The Kiai, as a symbol of religious leaders, is expected to lead the Muslim community on a political path that is valuable and morally based. The phenomenon of Kiai interaction in practical politics is a significant leap and break that should be translated into a more comprehensive political perspective on social and historical aspects. The study findings implicate that Kiai as a religious figure, should be put on the front row for Indonesian political discourses among Nahdlatul Ulama followers.