Moslem youths rally to support Gus Dur<\/p>\n
BOYOLALI, Central Java (JP): Thousands of young Moslems staged
\na rally and a march across town yesterday to show support for the
\nleadership of Abdurrahman Wahid in the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).<\/p>\n
The rally was organized by the Central Java chapter of Pemuda
\nAnsor, an NU youth wing group, amidst escalating tension between
\nGus Dur, as Abdurrahman is affectionately known, and his critics
\nwithin NU.<\/p>\n
Earlier reports suggested that the National Police have
\nresumed investigation of allegations of defamation by Gus Dur
\nagainst Abu Hasan, his rival who failed to unseat him at NU's
\ncongress last January. Abu Hasan has also been fiercely lobbying
\namong NU elders to have Gus Dur removed.<\/p>\n
The protesters yesterday ended their march with a pledge to
\ndefend Gus Dur from any attempt to replace him by
\nunconstitutional means.<\/p>\n
Niam Sukri, the chairman of Pemuda Ansor in Central Java, told
\nThe Jakarta Post that it was not the intention of the marchers to
\nturn Gus Dur into a cult figure. "The support we're showing is
\nsimply legitimate. After all, Gus dur is the legally and
\nconstitutionally elected NU chairman," he said.<\/p>\n
Niam said the rally was staged after lengthy consideration,
\ntaking many factors into consideration, not something that was
\nheld in a hasty manner, he said.<\/p>\n
Concerned<\/p>\n
Gus Dur himself on Wednesday said that he was not particularly
\nconcerned about Abu Hasan's plan to take him to court.<\/p>\n
"I have nothing to do with him. Whether he is filing a
\ncomplaint or not, that is up to him," he said in Semarang while
\nattending a discussion on Moslem art and culture at the City
\nhall.<\/p>\n
The National Police have reportedly been questioning a number
\nof senior NU leaders, including Ilyas Ruchiyat, Salal Mafud,
\nHasyim Muzadi and Tengku Azis, in connection with Abu Hasan's
\ncomplaint. Abu Hassan has also accused Gus Dur of rigging the
\nvote at the NU congress in January, and depriving him of the seat
\nas a consequence.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur said he had not been summoned by the police for
\nquestioning so far, although he was prepared to give a statement
\nif he was asked. "What is clear is that I'm not making any
\nspecial preparations for this," he added.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur also denied that there has been a rift between him and
\nYusuf Hasyim, his uncle and a respected NU figure. "There's not
\ngoing to be a reconciliation because we never fought in the first
\nplace," he said, adding that NU has learned to respect
\ndifferences of opinions.<\/p>\n
Earlier reports suggested that Yusuf has been lobbying to have
\nGus Dur removed because he was seen as a controversial figure not
\nacceptable to the government. (har\/emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-youths-rally-to-support-gus-dur-1447893297",
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