Gus Dur and Abu Hasan

Gus Dur and Abu Hasan

From Pikiran Rakyat

The aftermath of the NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) congress in Cipasung, West Java, was marked by the conflict between Abdurrahman Wahid as the Chairman of the NU Executive Board 1994- 1999 and Abu Hasan. The conflict between these two NU figures has caused a change in the personnel structure of the board and has had an impact on the NU's activity as a whole.

Many comments and suggestions have been made by various circles--the government, entrepreneurs, and individuals in society and the media, to solve the problem amicably, but the two conflicting figures have not shown due attention to them. They continue to blame each other. In fact, Islam does not know such way of life.

It seems that the conflict can only be solved internally; external intervention will only complicate the matter. To my mind, NU seniors, like KH Idham Chalid, should play greater roles in finding peaceful solution to the conflict. My suggestions are: (1) To invite Gus Dur and Abu Hasan and other senior figures to attend an informal forum, in which the senior members can act as mediators, and (2) To hold a dialog for discussing the conflict.

TOPIK HIDAYAT

Bandung, West Java