Military rejects NU prayer plans

SURABAYA: The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) will likely have to cancel a mass prayer scheduled for March 9 at the Brawijaya Military Command compound in the East Java capital of Surabaya.

The military commander, Maj. Gen. AD Sikki, said the compound would be unable to accommodate the sea of participants expected to turn up for the prayer. He asked the NU to find a more suitable location.

Speaking to reporters following a prayer to commemorate the Islamic Day of Sacrifice on Wednesday, Sikki said the field the NU wanted to use for the prayer was used for daily military exercise.

"Pak Ali Maschan Moesa and I have talked about it and he agreed to find a more suitable and spacious location for the event," Sikki said referring to NU's East Java chairman.

The NU expected over one million people from various religions to take part in the prayer. --Antara