Nahdlatul Ulama begins final preparations for congress

BAGU, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization began final preparations for its congress here yesterday against the backdrop of activities held by NU rival factions.

Koranic readings were held by the rival faction yesterday evening throughout the island of Lombok. But these activities failed to divert attention away from preparations of proceedings due to be held by the official NU executives under the leadership of Abdurrahman Wahid.

The NU are due to begin a five-day meeting and congress in Bagu, Central Lombok.

The congress will cover a wide range of issues including the application of religious laws in various modern settings.

According to Mukhlis Ibrahim, head of the Ishlahuddin religious school here, topics to be discussed include cloning, democratization laws and marital issues.

NU deputy secretary general Muhidin Ambusman said experts from various fields of discipline will also take part in the meetings and provide various recommendations.

But much of the attention in the countdown to the start of the meeting yesterday was the rival faction's activities.

Abdurrahman's leadership of the 30-million grassroots organization has been challenged by Abu Hasan who has set up his own rival executive board.

The government has for the most part kept out of NU's internal affairs and acknowledged only Abdurrahman's board.

Abdurrahman arrived in the provincial capital of Mataram yesterday afternoon.

His meeting with Governor Warsito was just a courtesy call, he said.

Governor Warsito said he knew nothing of the activities of the rival NU board in his province. "I really don't know. Maybe they got permission from the police chief."

The meeting will be opened today by Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher. (43/imn)