Gus Dur visits spiritual elders for blessing<\/p>\n
PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid
\nvisited on Thursday one of his spiritual elders, Habib Hamid in
\nthe regency of Banyumas, asking to be blessed and for moral
\nsupport in leading the nation.<\/p>\n
Hasan, one of Habib's aides, told reporters that the President
\njust asked for the elder's blessing and prayers so that the
\ncountry could be free from tempest. \"Such request was asked
\nseveral times.\"<\/p>\n
The trip to Habib Hamid's residence was made after a visit to
\nthe Al-Asariyah Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) and a meeting
\nwith supporters of the Nahdlatul Ulama in Wonosobo, some 130
\nkilometers west of Purwokerto.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur led Nahdlatul Ulama for 15 years before being elected
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
It was not an easy trip for the President and his entourage,
\nincluding Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin. They had
\nto travel a one-meter wide path toward to small house of the
\nspiritual leader in Sokaraja village in Banyumas.<\/p>\n
The 4x10 square meter home of the 75-year-old kyai
\napparently made it difficult for photographers to take pictures.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur was seen sitting on the floor covered with a small
\ngreen carpet when the conversation took place.<\/p>\n
Thirty minutes later the President left for the Al-Hikmah
\nPesantren in Brebes. The trip ended before dark when the
\nPresident stopped over at Minister Yahya's home, located only
\nseven kilometers from the pesantren.<\/p>\n
The unofficial trip may evoke further speculation amid the
\nrumors of an extra-marital relationship between the President and
\na woman identified as Aryanti Sitepu.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Jakarta, National Police Chief Gen. Rusdihardjo
\ndisclosed on Thursday his plan to summon Aryanti as part of
\npolice proactive measures in investigating the alleged extra-
\nmarital affair.<\/p>\n
The police chief said they wanted to cross check Aryanti's
\nclaims.<\/p>\n
Without explaining Aryanti's legal status during the planned
\nquestioning, Rusdihardjo expressed his hope that the woman would
\ncooperate with police and be truthful.<\/p>\n
\"We want to know what is going on, about the trustworthiness
\nof the report. Secondly we want to know about motives, for
\ninstance for defamation purpose,\" Rusdihardjo said. (45\/prb\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-visits-spiritual-elders-for-blessing-1447893297",
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