NU to hold its congress in November

SURABAYA (JP): The 30th national congress of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama will be held in Kediri, East Java in November for five days, an NU executive Said Aqil Siradj said Wednesday.

"We haven't decided on the date yet as we are still discussing it with regional branches," he said.

The congress, taking place at the Lirboyo Islamic boarding house, the congress of Nahdatul Ulama (NU), which claims the support of some 30 million followers, will involve some 5,000 members.

According to Said, prospective candidates to replace incumbent chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, have yet to be discussed.

Abdurrahman has been elected three times as chairman, the last time at the 1994 NU congress at Cipasung, Tasikmalaya in West Java.

"Basically we will discuss major issues such as democratization and current national problems, including specific items such as women's political rights," he added.

Said himself has been tipped as the next chairman by NU executives. (nur/edt)