NU holds cultural show

NU holds cultural show

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: Tens of thousands of members of the
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organizations and a large number of
Chinese residents gathered here Wednesday for a cultural show
organized by both groups.

Chief organizer Musadad Bikri Noor told The Jakarta Post the
gathering, called "silaturahmi kebangsaan" (a national get-
together) was meant to strengthen ties between different ethnic
groups. "We have to embrace Chinese-Indonesians because they are
part of our nation," he said.

Also attending were author Ahmad Thohari and poet Mustofa
Bisri. Among the highlights were the Rebana (drum) music
associated with Islamic culture and barongsai or dragon dance
associated with the Chinese. (45)