NU seeks to reunite scattered members
NU seeks to reunite scattered members
Muhammad Nafik and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the nation's largest Muslim organization,
opened on Thursday a national conference aimed at reuniting its
fragmented politicians and ulemas scattered throughout different
parties and social groups.
The three-day meeting, held at Jakarta's haj pilgrim dormitory
complex in Pondok Gede, was expected to recommend the
establishment of an NU political commission at the national and
regional levels to achieve its goals and strengthen the political
role of its members.
"Through this meeting we want to reunite the NU figures
scattered everywhere and reposition its national role," NU
chairman Hasyim Muzadi said in his speech.
It is part of NU's efforts to reconcile its politically and
ideologically fragmented scholars and ulemas, who play key roles
in many political and social organizations, he added.
Many NU figures are allied with numerous political parties,
although the Muslim group had founded its own party -- the
National Awakening Party (PKB) -- after former president
Soeharto's downfall in 1998.
Their different political affiliations have led to a
fragmentation and polarization among the members and their
supporters, which often undermine NU's political stance.
The ouster of Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, who once chaired
the NU, from presidency last year was a phenomenal case, in which
NU politicians in major parties played a role.
"In this meeting, we want to promote unity after longstanding
disputes among NU members. They can channel their aspirations to
any political party, but they should not forget that they belong
to NU," Hasyim said.
He said reconciliation should include hard-line NU clerics who
have opposed the organization's policies enacted by Gus Dur.
Solahuddin Wahid, a leader of the NU central executive board,
said the proposed political commission was expected to help
resolve the different political aspirations of its polarized
members and promote better ties among them.
"The political commission will serve as a place to consolidate
NU politicians in various parties. NU will, therefore, be home to
all of its scattered members," he told The Jakarta Post on the
sidelines of the conference.
Some NU ulemas and politicians opposed to Gus Dur, who remains
an influential figure in the Muslim organization, attended the
congress.
They included his uncle, Yusuf Hasyim, KH Alawy Muhammad and
Maimun Zuber, from the United Development Party (PPP). Gus Dur's
former confidante Matori Abdul Djalil was also among those
present.
Despite its influential role in national politics and its move
to establish the PKB, which has the fourth largest faction in the
House of Representatives, the 40-million-strong organization said
it would stay away from practical politics.
Hasyim and Solahuddin said the ongoing meeting was to reaffirm
its khittah (NU's commitment to shun practical politics), which
was decided in 1984.
Solahuddin said his organization had breached the khittah when
it failed to avoid establishing the PKB, which former foreign
affairs minister Alwi Shihab chairs.
"It's a political mistake made by the NU. We will try to
repent by reaffirming the khittah," he said.
To do so, the NU will firmly enforce its ruling that bans its
executives on national and regional boards from serving as
officials of PKB or other political parties at the same time, he
said.
Hasyim said PKB's establishment had damaged the relationship
of NU ulemas. "If this situation continues, how can we promote
peace to our followers? Do we need to sacrifice them?" he asked.