NU seeks to reunite scattered members<\/p>\n
Muhammad Nafik and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the nation's largest Muslim organization,
\nopened on Thursday a national conference aimed at reuniting its
\nfragmented politicians and ulemas scattered throughout different
\nparties and social groups.<\/p>\n
The three-day meeting, held at Jakarta's haj pilgrim dormitory
\ncomplex in Pondok Gede, was expected to recommend the
\nestablishment of an NU political commission at the national and
\nregional levels to achieve its goals and strengthen the political
\nrole of its members.<\/p>\n
\"Through this meeting we want to reunite the NU figures
\nscattered everywhere and reposition its national role,\" NU
\nchairman Hasyim Muzadi said in his speech.<\/p>\n
It is part of NU's efforts to reconcile its politically and
\nideologically fragmented scholars and ulemas, who play key roles
\nin many political and social organizations, he added.<\/p>\n
Many NU figures are allied with numerous political parties,
\nalthough the Muslim group had founded its own party -- the
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB) -- after former president
\nSoeharto's downfall in 1998.<\/p>\n
Their different political affiliations have led to a
\nfragmentation and polarization among the members and their
\nsupporters, which often undermine NU's political stance.<\/p>\n
The ouster of Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid, who once chaired
\nthe NU, from presidency last year was a phenomenal case, in which
\nNU politicians in major parties played a role.<\/p>\n
\"In this meeting, we want to promote unity after longstanding
\ndisputes among NU members. They can channel their aspirations to
\nany political party, but they should not forget that they belong
\nto NU,\" Hasyim said.<\/p>\n
He said reconciliation should include hard-line NU clerics who
\nhave opposed the organization's policies enacted by Gus Dur.<\/p>\n
Solahuddin Wahid, a leader of the NU central executive board,
\nsaid the proposed political commission was expected to help
\nresolve the different political aspirations of its polarized
\nmembers and promote better ties among them.<\/p>\n
\"The political commission will serve as a place to consolidate
\nNU politicians in various parties. NU will, therefore, be home to
\nall of its scattered members,\" he told The Jakarta Post on the
\nsidelines of the conference.<\/p>\n
Some NU ulemas and politicians opposed to Gus Dur, who remains
\nan influential figure in the Muslim organization, attended the
\ncongress.<\/p>\n
They included his uncle, Yusuf Hasyim, KH Alawy Muhammad and
\nMaimun Zuber, from the United Development Party (PPP). Gus Dur's
\nformer confidante Matori Abdul Djalil was also among those
\npresent.<\/p>\n
Despite its influential role in national politics and its move
\nto establish the PKB, which has the fourth largest faction in the
\nHouse of Representatives, the 40-million-strong organization said
\nit would stay away from practical politics.<\/p>\n
Hasyim and Solahuddin said the ongoing meeting was to reaffirm
\nits khittah (NU's commitment to shun practical politics), which
\nwas decided in 1984.<\/p>\n
Solahuddin said his organization had breached the khittah when
\nit failed to avoid establishing the PKB, which former foreign
\naffairs minister Alwi Shihab chairs.<\/p>\n
\"It's a political mistake made by the NU. We will try to
\nrepent by reaffirming the khittah,\" he said.<\/p>\n
To do so, the NU will firmly enforce its ruling that bans its
\nexecutives on national and regional boards from serving as
\nofficials of PKB or other political parties at the same time, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Hasyim said PKB's establishment had damaged the relationship
\nof NU ulemas. \"If this situation continues, how can we promote
\npeace to our followers? Do we need to sacrifice them?\" he asked.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nu-seeks-to-reunite-scattered-members-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}