Gus Dur prays at graveyard prior visit to Australia

Gus Dur prays at graveyard prior visit to Australia

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid prayed at the tomb
of an Islamic crusader on Saturday ahead of a state visit to
Australia, and said that the spirit there had asked him to pay
attention to people "outside the system".

He said prayers for Sunan Usman Ngundung at Troloyo cemetery
in Sentono Rejo village, Trowulan, Mojokerto, East Java, along
with 300 Muslims who could memorize the Koran by heart.

"I am here in Trowulan, just as in the old days. Before I
became president, I was a regular here. But why am I here? Some
friends said that Mbah (Grandpa) Usman Ngundung called me,
(asking) why I hadn't come," Abdurrahman was quoted by Antara as
saying.

"He called me, with the intention that I should also pay
attention to people outside the system, not just the ones who are
within it. What has become the hardest problem is, they are not
wholly inside or outside the system, but partly both," he said in
front of a mosque at the cemetery.

The President, a former chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the
country's largest Muslim organization, said that he had been
praying for Mbah Usman Ngundung for years.

"Actually, there are many other ulemas who are buried here,
but only Mbah Usman Ngundung called me," he said.

According to Abdurrahman, Sunan Usman Ngundung was an Islamic
crusader who did not like the system built by the Majapahit
kingdom.

"He did not want to be part of the system, and we respect
that," he said.

The Majapahit kingdom flourished in East Java, particularly
Trowulan, between the 13th century and the 16th century.

The President, who is facing possible impeachment at the
upcoming People's Consultative Assembly special session scheduled
to take place on Aug.1, is known for his fondness of mysticism,
and often visits the graveyards of respected figures and
spiritual leaders.

Abdurrahman said that his ancestors from Sheikh Abdul Qodir
Djaelani were also buried in that graveyard. He also believed
that at the west of the graveyard, Kencono Wungu, a daughter of
Brawijaya V, a Majapahit king, vanished on her way to heaven.

During his speech, which was made at the request of local
people, he discussed the role of Sunan Usman Ngundung in
spreading Islam within the province, talking about historical
events from hundreds of years ago and also about his ancestors,
who took part in the establishment of the Demak Kingdom.

President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, as he is popularly
known, was accompanied by Minister of Forestry Marzuki Usman,
Minister of Communications Budhi Muliawan Suyitno, East Java
Governor Imam Utomo, and other high-ranking officials.

After praying at the grave, Gus Dur continued his journey to
Bangkalan, Madura, to attend a celebration of Prophet Muhammad's
birthday.

At the same time, First Lady Nuriyah Abdurrahman visited the
Usymuni Muslim boarding school in Sumenep district, Madura. She
also met with locals and visited the Women's Crisis Center in
Sumenep.