NU, Muhammadiyah leaders refuse U.S. invitation
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.
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.