Thousands to attend religious congress

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