Lutfi elected Jam'iyyah chairman

PEKALONGAN, Central Java: Lutfi bin Yahya, a Muslim cleric from Pekalongan, was elected chairman of Jam'iyyah Ahlith Thariqah al- Mu'tabarah an Nadhliyah during the final day of the organization's four-day congress on Wednesday.

He will serve as chairman until 2010. The organization, which is an autonomous body of the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, Nadhlatul Ulama, boasts millions of members nationwide. It has branches in 20 provinces across the archipelago.

The organization's role in politics is quite prominent, as was proven by the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the opening ceremony of the congress. -- JP