Konsep Madrasah Politik Nahdlatul Ulama dalam Membangun Literasi Politik Kader

Political literacy is an essential prerequisite for fostering a healthy democratic life. Contemporary political dynamics are characterized by the increasing prevalence of identity politics, polarization, misinformation, intolerance, and political pragmatism, which may affect the quality of citizens’ participation, including among cadres of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). This condition highlights the importance of political education that is not solely oriented toward electoral aspects but also aims to develop cadres’ political knowledge, critical attitudes, ethics, and participatory skills. This study aims to describe and analyze the concept of NU Political Madrasah (Madrasah Politik) as a model of political education for cadres and its contribution to developing political literacy based on the values of Ahlussunnah wal Jama’ah an-Nahdliyah. The study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical design and a case study conducted within NU organizational structures in West Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, documentary studies, and a review of relevant literature. The findings indicate that NU Political Madrasah constitutes a systematic, contextual, and values-based form of informal and non-formal political education grounded in Aswaja principles, namely tawassuth, tasamuh, tawazun, and i’tidal. The program strengthens cadres’ political literacy by enhancing political knowledge, critical awareness, political ethics, and participatory skills in national civic life. NU Political Madrasah also serves as an instrument for addressing identity politics, political polarization, radicalism, and disinformation. Therefore, NU Political Madrasah can be regarded as an alternative model of political education rooted in religious values and pesantren traditions, capable of fostering cadres who are knowledgeable, critical, ethical, moderate, and responsible in democratic life.