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.