NU Jombang socializes political attitudes

Jombang, NU Online
Ahead of legislative elections on April 9, the Nahdlatul Ulama Branch Board (PCNU) of Jombang, East Java, held a meeting so-called Lailatul ijtima' to socialize its political decisions.<>

Chairman of PCNU Isrofil Amar called on all NU functionaries in the pesantren city to be careful in taking a political stance that carries the name of the organization. 

"As a Jam'iyah (organization), NU should be neutral," he told NU Online at the Lalilatul Ijtima' forum held at Ulul Albab Mosque, Tebuireng Diwek Jombang over the weekend.

The lecturer at Pesantren Tinggi Darul Ulum University (UNIPDU) said that the NU's guide in any practical politics was very clear, saying he would write the NU guide in the An-Nahdlah magazine which is officially owned by the PCNU.

"Please brothers and sisters read the writing in the (An-Nahdlah magazine) on the March issue," Kiai Isrofil said, expecting his writing to be able to "give a clearer direction."

Meanwhile, worldwide members of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which is Indonesia's largest Islamic organization have recently issued a press release advising the national organization to remain neutral and impartial ahead of the country's elections.

“It has been rather ironic, given the latest media reports mentioning that the NU executive board had grown close with particular political parties. NU must stand above all groups and this has been our vision from day one,” said spokesman of NU Worldwide representatives Syafiq Hasyim, who currently resides in Berlin, Germany.

NU was also encouraged to find a replacement for its late supreme leader, KH. Sahal Mahfudz, who passed away recently due to lung and heart problems.

The press release was the result of a teleconference meeting of NU representatives in 12 countries: German, Turkey, Egypt, South Korea, Lebanon, Tunisia, France, Morocco, Syria, the United States, Sudan and the Netherlands.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq