Mustofa among contenders to head NU

Mustofa among contenders to head NU

SEMARANG (JP): Mustofa Bisri and Kyai Sahal Mahfud are
considered the leading contenders from Central Java to replace
President Abdurrahman Wahid as chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU),
the country's largest Muslim organization.

Mustofa Bisri is an influential Muslim cleric from Rembang.

"Besides Mustofa Bisri, the people (in Central Java) also
named Abdurrahman's uncle Kyai Sahal Mahfud to run as chairman,"
said Muzamil, the secretary of NU's Central Java branch.

"However there has not been any formal nomination. The
regional chapter has not formally submitted the names of the two.
We're still listing the names of prospective candidates but so
far Mustofa and Sahal are the strong contenders."

The 30-million strong Muslim organization will hold its 30th
leadership meeting at Lirboyo Islamic boarding school in Kediri,
East Java, from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27.

A new chairman will be elected to replace Abdurrahman, who has
llead the organization since 1984.

Although the organization has officially shied away from
formal politics, the new NU leader is expected to wield
tremendous political influence because top NU executives are
closely associated with the National Awakening Party (PKB). The
party finished third in the June 7 general election.

NU's Central Java chairman Achmad said the most important
factor in the election of the chairman was the programs of the
candidates.

"Whoever leads NU will be fine with us as long as he can bring
prosperity and progress to the people. That's why we have to
judge the candidate's program and plan as well as setting up
criteria and the election mechanism," he explained.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, repeatedly said he no
longer wished to be chairman.

"I am tired," Abdurrahman said in August.

He has mentioned four prospective candidates for the
chairmanship.

They are Mustofa Bisri, Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of the East
Java NU chapter Hasyim Muzadi, noted scholar Said Aqiel Siradj
and NU deputy chairman Fadjrul Falaakh.

Abdurrahman is also chairman of the NU's Tanfidzyah (executive
board), while the position of chairman of the Syuriyah (law-
making body) is held by Ilyas Ruchiyat.

Mustofa Bisri said that it was essential that the new NU
chairman be acceptable to all members.

"Personally I support four prospective figures in NU, namely
Tholhah Hasan, Yusuf Muhammad, Masdar Farid Masudi and M.
Billah," he said.

"NU has many potential leaders for the future to face hard
economic and social challenges."

Mustofa acknowledged that Abdurrahman's successor would face a
tough task. (har/edt)