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