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)