A number of senior Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) clerics have reminded\nparticipants of the 35th NU Congress not to be influenced by pressure,\npolitical transactions, or alleged intervention in the leadership\nelection process. They believe that an election which does not proceed\nhonestly could set a bad precedent for the organisation.<\/p>\n
The message was delivered after a closed meeting of senior clerics at\nLirboyo Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, East Java, on Wednesday\n(26\/8). The meeting lasted more than an hour and was a continuation of a\nprevious meeting at PBNU.<\/p>\n
Spokesman for the senior clerics, KH Muhibul Aman Ali, said the ulama\nhad identified a number of indications deemed capable of undermining the\nindependence and dignity of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang. These\nincluded alleged conditioning, intimidation, and the issue of\nquarantining participants at the Sukolilo Hajj Dormitory.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the use of the government\u2019s name to influence the\npsychological condition of congress participants. According to him, the\nleadership election process must proceed without pressure and continue\nto prioritise consideration of the best candidates.<\/p>\n
\u201cChoosing a leader who is not the best, even though one knows there\nis someone better, is a form of betrayal of Allah, the Prophet, and the\nfounders of NU. If this dishonest process is allowed to continue and\nbecomes a bad precedent (sunnah sayyi\u2019ah), then the sin of that act will\ncontinue to flow until the Day of Judgement,\u201d KH Muhibul Aman Ali\nstressed in conveying the senior clerics\u2019 mandate after the meeting.<\/p>\n
In the moral guidance delivered, the clerics asked all parties to\nstop the practice of political transactions, manipulation, pressure, and\nconditioning that could influence participants\u2019 choices. They consider\nsuch actions capable of damaging the dignity of the ulama as well as\ndisrupting the sovereignty of voters.<\/p>\n
The clerics also urged the committee and parties involved to ensure\nthat congress participants retain the freedom to make their choices.\nParticipants from regional and branch boards were asked not to be placed\nin situations that make them intimidated, provoked, or deprived of\nfreedom in making decisions.<\/p>\n
Special attention was also directed at the government. The clerics\nexpressed their belief that the President is neutral in the\nimplementation of the congress. However, they requested firm action if\nany officials, ministers, or other parties use the President\u2019s name or\nthe issue of presidential blessing to influence participants.<\/p>\n
The clerics even expressed their willingness to meet directly with\nthe President to present evidence if alleged intervention by government\nofficials is found. This step is considered important to maintain the\ngovernment\u2019s authority while preserving NU\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n
In addition, parties deemed to be attempting to disrupt the congress\nwere asked to stop such actions and improve themselves. The clerics\nreminded that the entire process leading to the election of the new\nleadership must adhere to ethics and moral values.<\/p>\n
Congress participants were also invited to use sound judgement in\nmaking their choices. Common sense, clarity of heart, and noble\ncharacter are considered to be the foundation so that NU\u2019s future\nleadership is born through a dignified process.<\/p>\n
The results of the moral guidance were then directed to be widely\nknown by NU structures, the congress committee, the government, and the\npublic. The dissemination of this moral message is intended so that all\nparties have the same guidelines in safeguarding the 35th NU Congress\nprocess.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis advice is a Tausiyah, a form of the senior clerics\u2019 deep\naffection for NU and its students. We want the 35th NU Congress in\nJombang to proceed honestly, democratically, and to maintain the dignity\nof the ulama as heirs of the prophets,\u201d concluded KH Muhibul Aman\nAli.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/senior-kiais-highlight-intervention-in-35th-nu-congress-1787748627", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }