GMNU to stage 'mass gathering'

JAKARTA (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama Youth Movement (GMNU), a youth wing of the country's largest Moslem organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama, announced on Wednesday a plan to stage a huge gathering here -- probably to be attended by one million people -- on Oct. 11 at the Senayan eastern parking lot.

GMNU's secretary, Chatibul Umam Wiranu, said the gathering, scheduled to last from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., was meant to assert the NU youths' "determination to foster social solidarity, to prevent social fragmentation and to keep the unity of the nation".

In the event, the GMNU would also assert its stance against "sectarian politics and separatist movements", Chatibul said.

It would also state its support to maintain the country's present form as a unitary state, in contrast to the recently much-campaigned idea of a federal state.

"It will not be a show of force," Chatibul said at a media conference. NU is a 30-million strong Moslem organization led by Abdurrahman Wahid, who is also known as Gus Dur.

Chatibul said Abdurrahman would address the gathering.

He said those invited to the gathering included family members of the country's founding president Sukarno, former president Soeharto and his family and incumbent President B.J. Habibie and his family.

Also invited were leaders of 84 new political parties, three existing political parties and figures from NGOs, as well as those from the Indonesian Committee for World Moslems Solidarity and the Forum Kota Jakarta-based student group, he said.

"It is hoped that this gathering could become a kind of an embryo for a national silahturahmi (an Islamic term for a gathering intended to strengthen the bonds of friendship)," he said.

But, Chatibul said, they have not invited the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) under the leadership of Budi Hardjono. Budi's camp is the PDI faction recognized by the government, as opposed to the popular faction under Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Responding as to why Budi's PDI was not invited, Chatibul said, "We just don't feel like inviting them."

The planned gathering would be the NU's second mass gathering in Jakarta this year after an Istighotsah (a prayer beseeching Allah's protection from harm) gathering was held on July 6 at the same venue. The gathering was marred later in the evening by violence, which organizers had blamed on outside provocation.

On Wednesday, Chatibul said GMNU has secured a written police permit for the gathering.

"We got it on Tuesday and they (police) have promised to safeguard the event," he said. (aan)