Thousands to attend religious congress

INDONESIA: Some 30,000 Muslims are expected to attend the four-day Thariqah al-Mu'tabarah an-Nahdliyah national congress in Pekalongan, Central Java, which will begin on Sunday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to open the meeting of the religious group, which is affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization.

The 30,000 in attendance will mainly comprise members of the religious group and delegates to the congress.

Apart from group members, religious experts from a number of Muslim countries such as Egypt, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen, to participate.

Former president and NU chairman Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, current NU executive leader Hasyim Muzadi and law-making body chairman Sahal Mahfudh will also attend.

With the main business of the congress being the election of a new chairman of the group, which is currently led by Habib Lutfi bin Yahya, it is also expected to discuss the controversial issue shows dwelling on the paranormal on television. --JP