NU told to pick acceptable leader

NU told to pick acceptable leader

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) was urged
on Friday to elect a chairman who was acceptable to all elements
in the nation.

NU Central Java chapter figure Noer Iskandar Al-Barsany said
the next chairman, who will replace Abdurrahman Wahid, should not
only be able to get along with NU's traditional Muslim clerics
but also be broad-minded and intelligent.

"It's imperative for anyone who succeeds Abdurrahman Wahid to
be accepted by people outside NU; a leader who can bring goodness
to everyone," Iskandar said.

He said that prominent Muslim intellectuals Mustofa Bisri and
Said Aqiel Siradj were candidates who fitted the bill.

The 35-million-strong NU will hold its five-yearly congress at
the Lirboyo Islamic boarding school in East Java's cigarette
producing town of Kediri from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27. Abdurrahman
will open the event in his capacity as President. (45/edt)