Pragmatism-Accommodative Political Patterns of Al-Irsyad During the Reign of President Soekarno, 1945-1965

This article examines the roles and political behaviors of Al-Irsyad during the President of Soekarno's reign (1945-1965).This study is part of an effort to complete the history of Al-Irsyad's journey which seems to have not been revealed by academics, the role and political attitude of Al-Irsyad in the era of President Soekarno in particular. Using historical research methods supported by the main primary sources that have not been explored by scholars, such as a collection of writings welcoming the "Musjawarah Besar dan Ulang Tahun ke-25 Pemuda Al-Irsjad, 1964" and a collection of writings to welcome "Muker IV Pemuda Al-Irsjad Tahun 1967, the study has revealed that Al-Irsyad as the organization of a religious social movement that at the beginning of its establishment focused on the development of modern (Islamic) education, then shifted and involved on political movement. Its involvement in politics was pragmatic and accommodative. The proof of its pragmatism showed when it joined the Masyumi Party. Those two parties had similar Islamic views and even Masyumi could support the Al-Irsyad members’ political rights. Meanwhile, Al-Irsyad’s pragmatic-accommodative attitude was shown when addressing Soekarno's policies during the Guided Democracy. It was performed to obtain protection from Soekarno. Therefore, it is common knowledge that in the era of Guided Democracy, the statements of Al-Irsyad's figures were supported by Soekarno's political policies in many ways.