NU after the congress

The long awaited question was answered early on Monday morning when the Organization Committee (of Nahdlatul Ulama) passed the decision allowing a general chairman to be elected for more than two consecutive terms. KH Abdurrahman Wahid, a grandson of NU's founder KH Hasyim Asyhari, was elected general chairman for the third time after a heated voting process.

The outcome of the election reflects the existence of a new dynamism within the NU. Compared to the previous congress, the competition was more intensely felt this time.

This phenomenon shows that differences of opinion are no longer taboo and are growing in the NU. This democratization process is certain to have a positive impact on NU's development in the future. This inspires hope not only for all NU members but also for all Indonesians.

-- Republika, Jakarta