Moslems pray for MPR's success

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of Moslems in many parts of the country held special services yesterday to pray for the success of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) which starts tomorrow.

In Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, thousands flocked to Islamic boarding schools and said their prayers there. Ahmad Usman, the chairman of the provincial office of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas, was quoted by Antara as saying that he had sent letters to the council's branches urging all local Moslems to request divine help for the session to proceed smoothly.

The council also called on Moslems to be wary of rumors that could provoke them into creating unrest. "It's prohibited by our religion," he said.

Similar gatherings were held in Bengkulu, and Parepare in South Sulawesi, according to the news agency.

In Bengkulu, some 5,000 Moslems flocked to the Padang Harapan grand mosque yesterday to pray for an immediate conclusion to the monetary crisis and a successful MPR General Session.

Preacher M. Rusli Daud called on Moslems to be patient in facing the crisis. Vice Governor of Bengkulu Iskandar Ramis also attended the prayers, while similar services were held in other mosques and schools.

In Parepare, the local branch of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas and other Islamic organizations gathered yesterday to pray that the General Session would produce results that would help alleviate suffering caused by the crisis.

Local council chairman Muis Kabry and Parepare Mayor Syamsul Alam Bulu attended the service.

In Yogyakarta, thousands of members of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization prayed for Allah to help them overcome the various facets of the crisis. The prayers were held simultaneously at mosques and 80 Islamic boarding schools across Yogyakarta.

Thousands of copies of the text of the prayer were distributed to Moslems. One of the local Moslem leaders said the prayers were meant to remind people they should draw closer to Allah and do good deeds in the hope that Allah would rescue them from the crisis.

The NU members also prayed for the success of the MPR General Session which will commence tomorrow and last through March 11. The 1,000 strong Assembly will deliberate and endorse the 1998- 2003 State Policy Guidelines, elect a president and a vice president. (swe)