Senior ulema advises ministers

LOMBOK, West Nusa Tenggara: Two cabinet ministers visited on Thursday the province's most respected ulema, M. Zainuddin Abdul Madjid, and received his advice.

Ministers of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas met with the 100-year-old ulema on an official trip to the province.

They also visited two Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in the East Lombok regency.

The ulema, whose sermons draw crowds of thousands from across the province, told Siswono and Azwar to work harder for people's welfare.

"Work because of Allah, so that not only can you succeed, you can also hope for heavenly reward," Zainuddin told the ministers.

Siswono said he was visiting the province only "because of Allah", and he had no ulterior motive. "I'm here seeking Allah's blessing, and because I wish to strengthen Islamic brotherhood," he said, according to Antara reports. (swe)