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.