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)