Mustofa launches poetry album

SEMARANG: Nahdlatul Ulama cleric Mustofa Bisri launched his first album titled Tadarus containing religious songs and poetry composed as a way of propagating Islam.

Mustofa, popularly known as Gus Mus, is a noted writer and poet from Rembang, Central Java. He has been touted as a strong candidate to fill Abdurrahman Wahid's shoes as NU chairman during its congress, which opens on Sunday.

He declined his nomination on Thursday, saying he was unable to lead such a large organization like NU whose membership is estimated at 35 million.

"I would contest the race for NU chairmanship only if the congress agrees to promote poetry to the people," he joked. (har/edt)