NU faulted for political involvement

NU faulted for political involvement

JAKARTA (JP): A group of Nadhatul Ulama (NU) Muslim preachers
called on the organization to remain faithful to their commitment
to work in the educational, social and religious fields and avoid
delving into practical politics.

"If NU wants to return to politics then they should turn the
organization into a political party as they were before in 1971,"
Sjukron Ma'mun said on Tuesday.

"But as the organization had agreed to quit politics they
should stick to that commitment," he remarked.

Sjukron, who also heads Nadlatul Ummat Party (PNU), claimed
that several Muslim preachers were concerned with statements from
NU leaders that expressed political support for President
Abdurrahman Wahid who was a former NU chairman.

PNU is a small party which failed to win a seat in the House
of Representatives in the 1999 general election.

Sjukron remarked that several statements made by leading
figures of NU defending the President were even more zealous than
assertions made by the National Awakening Party which has
widespread following among the NU faithful.

He claimed that Abdurrahman's uncle, Yusuf Hasyim, who heads
Tebu Ireng Islamic Boarding School in East Java and Asnawi Latief
from PNU were among the preachers concerned about the recent
trend.

The three Muslim preachers were also known as strong critics
of Abdurrahman.

"We've held a meeting and will convey the message to NU
leaders as their actions and statements will confuse people at
the grassroots level," Sjukron added.

He insisted that the call was simply a reminder that NU should
not be caught up in the impasse faced by the political elite.

"Gus Dur should act like a real statesman and think about
greater interests than his own. I told him this once but he
ignored it so what more can I say," Sjukron further remarked,
referring to Abdurrahman by his nickname.

In 1984 NU declared that, as an organization, they would not
delve into practical politics and instead focus their work on
humanitarian, educational and social activities.(dja)