NU leader calls for reconciliation

NU leader calls for reconciliation

JAKARTA (JP): K.H. Jusuf Hasjim, a senior ulema of the
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization who has been reportedly
involved in its leadership conflict, has called for a
reconciliation.

Jusuf, an uncle of NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid who has
nevertheless publicly displayed support for Abu Hasan, chairman
of the rival NU board, said on Saturday that conflicts should be
resolved in a peaceful, Islamic way.

Antara reported that Jusuf, better known as Pak Ud, said that
haggling over internal rules and statutes to find a solution is
not appropriate in this situation.

"Resolving conflicts through ishlah (reconciliation) has a
stronger basis, the Koran," he said. "NU members should have been
able to end the feud themselves."

"Those who are embroiled in this conflict should remember that
this organization is a national asset, and they should welcome
offers from outside to mediate for them," he said.

Since its 1994 congress, the 30 million-strong organization
has yet to resolve the rift between Abdurrahman, better known as
Gus Dur, and Abu, who lost the chairmanship race. Abu last month
held an extraordinary congress and established a rival board.

Amidst accusations that there were elements in the political
superstructure who have been feeding the conflict for their own
interests, President Soeharto announced last month the government
would never take actions which might sacrifice NU. Some parties,
including Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher, have
offered to mediate.

"I personally welcome Tarmizi's offer," Jusuf said. "Let's not
be too hasty in judging that this is a form of government
intervention."

"What has been going on within NU needs serious attention, so
that the mass of NU followers won't be left in confusion," he
said.

Jusuf, who is also the master of the Tebu Ireng Pesantren
(Islamic boarding school) in Jombang, East Java, said the
conflict originated from differences between jamaah (members) and
jamiah (organization leaders). "They should pull together," he
said.

He said the conflict has dragged on because some individuals
in NU have forgotten how important NU is for Indonesia and the
Moslem community here.

"We should never forget that the interests of the ummat
(community) should be placed before individual or group
interests," Jusuf said. (swe)