Gus Dur, Amien Rais pray for Acehnese

BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): Muslim leaders Abdurrahman Wahid and Amien Rais joined thousands of Acehnese here on Wednesday to pray for people in the restive province.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, and National Mandate Party head Amien broke into tears during the istighotsah mass prayer at Baiturrahman Grand Mosque.

Both men were presented with a five-meter-long banner bearing the inscription "Referendum", reflecting the demand of Acehnese who suffered during an almost 10-year military operation to stamp out separatists.

The two men flew in from Jakarta to a warm reception by thousands.

The prayer was organized by local Muslim leaders who held a meeting on Monday and Tuesday to discuss their plan to introduce sharia, or Islamic law, in the province.

The meeting was held at Syiah Kuala, some six kilometers from Banda Aceh.

The meeting recommended the local administration incorporate Islamic values and legal principles in formulating policies on human rights.

"The two (Abdurrahman and Amien) strongly supported the implementation of Islamic law in Aceh," said Tengku Mukhtar Wahab, a local ulema.

The meeting set out to find ways to restore peace and order in Aceh, which has suffered a heavy toll from clashes between locals and the military.

Many Acehnese are outraged at the authorities' failure to bring to justice the perpetrators of atrocities committed against civilians during the military operation.

Although the operation was officially terminated in August last year, it has been followed by more violence.

The government estimates that 1,021 people died and 864 went missing during the operation which began in 1989. It says 1,376 women were widowed.

Abdurrahman and Amien took part in mass afternoon prayers later Wednesday.

Acehnese students distributed referendum stickers showing a picture of the national red-and-white flag and a crescent-star symbol.

The visit of the two Muslim leaders also held political significance.

The men have been at odds in the past due to Abdurrahman's traditionalist Nahdlatul Ulama and the modernist Muhammadiyah organization which Amien headed until he took up a political career last year.

The two leaders have warmed to each other recently, with Amien's PAN pushing the nomination of Abdurrahman for president in the November election.

Abdurrahman's most recent visit to Aceh in June was marred by a hostile demonstration protesting his statement that the Acehnese should drop their demand for a referendum. (edt/51)