NU congress to discuss politics, Viagra
NU congress to discuss politics, Viagra
BANDUNG (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is identified with
traditional Islam. Traditional in the sense that its supporters
mostly comprise Muslims living in rural areas. However, this does
not mean the development of NU thinking is "boorish" and behind
the times.
NU thinking is so advanced that it has become a locomotive in
the determination of Islamic laws, especially on the subject of
fikih (Islamic law). Fatwa (binding rulings) issued by the NU are
well received by the Muslim community, not just the NU community,
because of the NU institute's independent characteristic. It is
not unusual for a fatwa issued by NU to be different from a fatwa
from the Indonesian Ulemas Council.
One of the NU's strong points in producing the newest fatwa on
laws is to take a stance on actual developments, both in a formal
way through the competent institute at the organization and
through preliminary discussions at pondok pesantren (Islamic
boarding schools).
The formal decision will be announced through the a masail
institute that is always held concurrently with an NU congress,
as its highest institute.
The 30th NU Congress is to be held at the Lirboyo pondok
pesantren in Kediri, East Java, from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27. A number
of topics of discussion often elicit admiration because of their
strategic anticipation of thoughts. Usually a bahsaul masail
discussion concerns two things, i.e. the masail diniyah waqiiyah
(things connected with religious laws on a problem), and masail
diniyah maudluiyyah (things concerning strategic aspects of
religious life).
The conference will discuss, among other things, whether
Muslims are allowed to choose non-Muslim legislators. The
proposal to discuss this matter was made by the NU regional board
in East Java. It resulted mainly from the experience of
determining candidate legislators from a party dominated by non-
Muslims. The core of the problem: what is the law for Muslims to
delegate state affairs to non-Muslims while Muslims form the
majority in this country?
In politics the problems are varied. The NU, for example,
questions why every time a general election approaches, a number
of fatwa always emerge, both from individuals and institutes,
that state the obligation of citizens to participate in the
general election. It gets worse. There are ulemas who openly
state that it is sinful not to make use of one's voter right or
to elect a certain party.
No less interesting is: what is the law on stealing somebody's
conversation without permission from the person concerned, both
through telephone tapping, recording and its publication?
No doubt the discussion refers to the conversation between
former attorney general Andi M. Ghalib and former president B.J.
Habibie. Also the disclosure of a transcript of a conversation
between A.A. Baramuli and director of PT Era Giat Prima Setya
Novanto on the Bank Bali scandal.
With reference to the Koran, the theft of a conversation can
be categorized as a noncommendable act. Likewise the disclosure
of somebody's aib (shame). But what is the law if it concerns
public interest? Does the culprit deserve to be punished?
On the subject of the nation's cohesion, the NU has observed
sharply the efforts to step up cohesion and unity. It is not rare
that the efforts include joint prayers among Muslims, Catholics,
Protestants, Hindus and Buddhists. What, then, is the law on a
program of interreligion joint prayers? Moreover, the NU will
discuss what the limits are for cooperation among religious
communities as allowed by the Islam syariah.
In the upcoming congress, the NU will continue a discussion on
the law on women becoming a head of state (president). This was
discussed at the NU National Conference at Bagu Mataram in
November 1997 but there was no final decision.
The NU Central Board's Rois Syuriah (deputy chairman of the
lawmaking body), KH Sahal Mahfudz, whose name is often heard as
the strongest candidate for the position of Rois 'Am Syuriah
(chairman) of the NU Central Board at Lirboyo, even questions
more sharply that the position of the President as Head of State
is the waliyyul amri al-dharury bisysyukah (government/state
representative) who legalizes a marriage conducted by a wali
hakim (person who acts on behalf of the father of a bride).
The Koran states that a wali in a marriage is a man. So,
in Islam, a woman must be given in marriage by her wali (male
relative legally responsible for a bride, usually her father). If
there is no such person, the marriage can be done by a wali
hakim.
According to KH Sahal Mafudz, it is a matter of principle for
Muslims, i.e. it is a problem for a wali hakim in a marriage if
the president is a woman. KH Sahal Mahfudz asks if the wilayatul
hakim (holder of the right and authority of a wali hakim) must be
in the hands of the President or just in the hands of the
Minister of Religious Affairs. If it is the President, is it
legal for a woman president to be a wali hakim?
According to KH Sahal Mahfudz, this matter is purely religious
and not political in nature. It is highly important to discuss it
soon instead of discussing women presidents.
Another topic for discussion eliciting smiles is a law on the
use of Viagra to boost virility and pills to assist women in
reaching orgasm. Actually the ulemas have agreed to allow the use
of these pills to cure disorders, but a problem has arisen on
their misuse. Thus, there is a need to determine the law on the
consumption of these pills not by people suffering from sexual
dysfunction.
There are many more interesting proposals to be submitted. But
as voiced by NU's West Java regional board's mustasyar (advisor),
KH Imang Mansur Burhan, not all the proposals can be presented at
the congress. Therefore, a number of topics that can be addressed
at a lower level, will be discussed in a number of precongress
bahsul masail discussions.
A number of preliminary discussions has taken place, like the
one at Sukabumi early this month. As yet, no information is
available on the results of the discussions at the forum.