NU, Muhammadiyah leaders refuse U.S. invitation

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Chairmen of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's two largest Muslim organizations, have rejected an invitation to attend an inter-religious gathering from the United States Congress in the wake of a souring relationship between the two countries.

NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi said on Monday he would absolutely reject the invitation to attend the annual National Prayer Breakfast because the U.S. had failed to live up to its promise to promote peace.

"Last year, I went to the event as I had hopes that the U.S. would promote peace and justice all around the world. But following its new immigration policy which mostly affects Indonesian citizens living there and its plan to attack Iraq, I don't think the event is relevant at all," Hasyim told the press conference held at NU's headquarters in Central Jakarta.

Earlier former NU head Abdurrahman Wahid, who is also the former president, canceled his trip to the U.S. in order to adhere to President Megawati Soekarnoputri's call for Indonesians to restrict visits to the U.S. due to its immigration policy she deemed discriminative against Indonesian nationals.

Hasyim said he would immediately write the U.S. Congress with his rejection.

Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Sjafii Maarif has not officially announced his response to the invitation, but Hasyim said his colleague would follow suit.

"I recently talked to Pak Sjafii about this cancellation, and as far as I know, he supports my decision and said he would reject the invitation too," Hasyim said.

Boasting 40 million supporters, NU is the biggest Muslim organization in the country, while Muhammadiyah is second with 35 million.

The U.S. Congress invited both Hasyim and Sjafii for the event slated for Feb. 4 through to Feb. 7. It was the second invitation for the two Muslim leaders in as many years.

Hasyim and Sjafii were invited to the U.S. as Washington sought support in the war against global terrorism. Sjafii did not go, but he did go to the U.S. on another occasion.

During his visit to Washington last year, Hasyim told the U.S. President and Congress about Indonesia's brand of Islam and clarified the nature of Islam in the country, which was determined mostly, he believed, by moderate figures rather than hardliners.

Indonesian Muslims, including the moderates, have warned the U.S. of a backlash if it took any action that could result in a regime change in Iraq.