NU receives Sudanese envoys

Jakarta, NU Online
The Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) warmly welcomed the visit of high-ranking officials of the Republic of Sudan, Wednesday (15/1), at the NU headquarters, Jln. Kramat Raya 164, Central Jakarta. <>

The Sudan's delegation consisting of 14 people are, among others, the Sudanese Ambassador Dr. Abdurrahim as-Siddiq, Minister of Investment of South Darfur Abdul Rahim Omer Hassan, and a number of MPs from the ruling party which handles  agricultural sectors.

They were welcomed by General Chairman of NU KH Said Aqil Siroj (Kang Said), Secretary General H Marsudi Syuhud, Treasurer H Bina Suhendra, and other NU officials. 

Kang Said said told the delegation more about the NU religious and nationalistic attitudes,  including its acceptance of Pancasila as the final ideology of the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

"So any difference in Indonesia will stay united (as a nation) because of Pancasila. There is no one fighting against it except radical groups, including the terrorists," he said after detailing the five-point Pancasila to the Sudan's delegation.

The delegation led by Dr. Yasir Abu Kasawi said there had been a lot of similarities between NU and the majority of Muslims in Sudan, among others, about their rejection of the hard-line Islamic schools and their love for the world of Sufism.

"We want in Sudan to have a large organization like NU for being able to become a mediator (in any possible conflict)," he added.

Meanwhile, Abdalrahem Omer Hassan explained more about the economic development in Sudan, particularly in agriculture. According to him, this time in Sudan there have been some 200 million hectares of arable land. Of the total, only 20 percent of that has so far been used properly.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq