Tutut and Gus Dur meet NU members

JAKARTA (JP): Tens of thousands of members Indonesia's largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) took part yesterday in a "grand prayer meeting" with their chairman Abdurrahman Wahid and Golkar leader Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana.

The massive gathering in the Central Java town of Kebumen also commemorated the first anniversary of the death of former first lady Tien Soeharto. Hardiyanti is the eldest daughter of President Soeharto and Tien Soeharto.

Attending the well-publicized gathering were Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono, chief of the Diponegoro regional military command Maj. Gen. Subagyo H.S. and Regent Amien Sudibyo, according to Antara.

Abdurrahman, also known as Gus Dur, and Hardiyanti, nicknamed Tutut, have made several public appearances together recently, fueling speculation of a new political alliance. Both deny it.

Nine respected local ulemas took turns leading the gathering yesterday, saying prayers for the late first lady and for the unity of the nation.

"This gathering is also to remind us all that some day, we will go and meet God," Hardiyanti said. "This is why we all have to work, remain steadfast on the true road, and steadfast in our belief."

Abdurrahman said the grand prayer service was to "bring calm and protect something, and maintain stability as the nation approaches the general election and the (1998) general session of People's Consultative Assembly."

"And we combine (the purposes of the meeting) that with prayers for the late Ibu Tien Soeharto," Abdurrahman said.

"Saying prayers for the dead is a tradition of ulemas, especially in the Nahdlatul Ulama. (The prayer can be said) not only for the late Ibu Tien but also for the whole Moslem community." (swe)