As is well known, SI is an organization of Nusantara ulama oriented towards opposing the policies of the Dutch East Indies colonial government in the archipelago. Through SI, the colonial government’s policies were constitutionally opposed, which were not following Islamic law and were detrimental to the people. Until in their turn, the ulema of the SI management then merged into Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
As the only son of a kuwu—a village head—in Majalengka, KH Abdul Chalim was no longer awkward when he was involved in various management positions at SI Hijaz. Likewise, when he returned to his homeland in 1917. After returning from the holy land, KH Abdul Chalim helped his parents in the village to relieve the suffering of his people due to Dutch colonialism.
Participate in Midwifery NU
In 1922, KH Abdul Chalim then wandered from his residence in Leuwimunding to Surabaya on foot for fourteen days to join his comrades in arms. In Surabaya, for the services of Kiai Amin Peraban, KH Abdul Chalim met again with Kiai Wahab Jombang, his senior and teacher, while studying in the Hijaz land. Because of their excellent relationship, KH Abdul Chalim was then trusted to be a teacher at Nahdlatul Wathan, located in Kawatan VI Village, Surabaya.
In addition to teaching, KH Abdul Chalim is also trusted as an administrative regulator and initiator of teaching and learning activities and opening discussion forums. As a Pasundan santri who is good at singing and mastering the science of balaghoh (Arabic literature), KH Abdul Chalim then created a lot of Arabic poems to pump up the fighting spirit of the students were members of Nahdlatul Wathan. One of his works is the NU history masterpiece entitled History of the Struggle of Kiayi Haji Abdul Wahab in the form of nadhom (poem).
Through his activities at Nahdlatul Wathan, KH Abdul Chalim applied his religious ideas about social interaction, political solidarity, and national insight into society. Besides Nahdlatul Wathan, he is also listed as a teacher at the Tashwirul Afkar Madrasa, Surabaya.
As a fellow santri in the Hijaz land, KH Abdul Chalim later became a partner of KH Abdul Wahab Hasbullah in holding a meeting of Nusantara scholars called the Hijaz Committee. At that time, KH Abdul Chalim was in charge of the forum and sending invitations to all scholars or Kiai on the islands of Java and Madura. The Hijaz Committee meeting was finally held on January 31, 1926, in Surabaya for his hard work. This Hijaz Committee meeting later became the forerunner of the birth of NU. When NU was officially declared on that same date, KH Abdul Chalim sat in the management as Katib Tsani. Therefore, he is a figure who records many strategic documents in every critical history of this nation, especially the history of the NU movement.
During his service in Surabaya, KH Abdul Chalim repeatedly returned to Majalengka to deliver the latest news from Surabaya, which was the centre of the struggle of the santri in liberating the nation from the shackles of colonialism and ignorance of the people. Every time he returns to Majalengka, KH Abdul Chalim always visits people’s homes to introduce, teach and spread the notion of Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah. He also consistently distributes pictures and newspapers of Soeara Nahdlatoel Oelama to people in Majalengka and surrounding areas.