Ngawi, NU Online
General Chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siroj called on all NU regional board members not to be trapped into politics.<>

He made the statement on the sidelines of a meeting with the NU chapter of Ngrambe subdistrict, Ngawi, over the weekend (10/11).

"After delivering a religious sermon at the NU Branch Board of Magetan district, Kang Said visited the NU chapter of Ngrambe on Sunday morning around 08.00," Rihan, the Ngawi's Ansor member told NU Online.

"Never involve NU in any political interests," he said, adding that the neutrality of NU should be maintained for it is not a political organization," he said.

On the occasion, Kang Said also called for the importance of all NU elements, including its autonomous bodies not to support a particular candidate in the upcoming 2014 elections.

"Never let NU ask for help to legislative candidates or making it as a political vehicle," he said.

NU has been determined to stress its return to the 1926 khittah (the consensus to stay away from politics) that NU and its functionaries, including its executive board, will no longer be involved in practical politics and instead return to its initial mission as a social and religious organization.

Although NU is not a political party or affiliated with certain parties, it can pay attention to political issues, including the policy and decision-making processes in its fight for its members’ political aspirations. Unfortunately, many NU functionaries have been trapped in practical politics, mainly local elections and the past presidential race.

Reporting by Ahmad Rosyidi; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq