Abdurrahman warns NU to evade external influences<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Abdurrahman
\nWahid warned members of the influential Moslem organization not
\nto let the forces of external political play tear them apart.<\/p>\n
\"NU members (may) join one or another political group for (the
\nsake of) the five-yearly general elections, but (the activities)
\nshould not harm relationships among members,\" Abdurrahman told a
\nrally of some 10,000 NU youths in Semarang, on Sunday.<\/p>\n
He said that NU, which boasts 35 million members in rural
\nareas, was established some 68 years ago to reach goals which are
\nfarther-reaching than those of any other political groups. The
\nmembers, therefore, must not sacrifice their mission for their
\npolitical interests, he added.<\/p>\n
His speech reflected the divided stands of NU members
\nregarding the organization's involvement in the coming election
\nof the United Development Party (PPP) and the power play within
\nit.<\/p>\n
Some NU senior members, usually called kyai, have publicly
\ndeclared that they intend to wrest the party's leadership from
\nthe smaller faction Muslimin Indonesia (MI). The statement
\ncreated controversies both within NU and among PPP members who
\nhail from the other three factions -- MI, Perti and Parmusi.<\/p>\n
So far, Abdurrahman has been noncommittal, stressing that the
\norganization will neither prevent its members from running for
\nleadership, nor endorse them.<\/p>\n
Analysts, however, have been concerned that the NU's move may
\ncreate or worsen friction among members.<\/p>\n
\"Macro\" missions<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman explained that if NU, as a Moslem-based
\norganization of scholars which has \"macro\" missions, is \"used to
\nfurther the narrower-mission of political parties, then it is
\ntantamount to a betrayal of its mission.\"<\/p>\n
\"NU was not established to merely cater to members who are
\n(activists of) political parties or the bureaucracy; it's there
\nto serve the people, especially the unfortunates,\" Abdurrahman
\nwas quoted as saying by the Antara news agency.<\/p>\n
He reminded the NU members that there are still many tasks to
\nimprove people's lives which they have not tackled yet. \"There
\nare so many things to do,\" he said, lashing out at those who,
\ninstead of taking care of the tasks professionally, \"are busying
\nthemselves with `narrow' affairs such as political parties.\"<\/p>\n
He also reminded the young NU members that the organization
\nshould be glued together by their common quest for \"the victory
\nof Islam and the blessing of Allah\". \"These are our yardsticks
\nfor success,\" he said.<\/p>\n
No matter how good an orator a person is, or how skillful in
\nmanaging organizations or mobilizing people, he is nothing unless
\nhe strives for the triumph of his religion and for God's
\nblessing, Abdurrahman said. \"We should measure up our success not
\nwith (activities in) the political parties, or even how NU fares
\n(in the political arena), but with how sincere we are in
\nupholding God's religion,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"NU or political parties are nothing but the means to reach
\nthose goals,\" he said. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abdurrahman-warns-nu-to-evade-external-influences-1447893297",
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