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)