JIL cannot be linked with NU

Jember, NU Online
Thoughts having been evolved by the Liberal Islamic Network (JIL) cannot be linked with NU, the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, though some of those involving themselves in this organization are NU young cadres even one of them is the son in law of a NU figure.

The spokesman of the Young Cleric Forum  (FKM) of East Java KH Abdullah Syamsul Arifin (Gus A'ab) said that NU had distinctive lines of thought.<>

He was of the opinion that the existence of JIL had increasingly aroused anxiety among NU followers (Nahdliyin) because one of its  patrons was Ulil Abshar Abdalla who is a NU follower.

"If Ulil is already no longer NU (follower), he has the right to say whatever he wants. That is not a problem," he said after participating in an open debate with JIL at Bumi Sholawat Islamic boarding school (pesantren), Tulangan, Sidoarjo on Sunday (11/10).

The forum was interesting enough and participated by some 500 people from such cities as Jember, Banyuwangi, Situbondo, Pasuruan and Probolinggo.

As if the forum was a fierce battle especially for NU followers in 'fighting against' various thoughts and ideas voiced by Ulil in regard with the liberal Islam.

The debate moderated by Kiai Abdurrahman Navis raised two of Ulil's most controversial ideas, namely religious pluralism and the sacredness of the Qur'an.

Gus A'ab said that Ulil's articles on religious pluralism could raise anxiety for equalizing all religions, adding that the Ulil's idea saying that all religions are true was a great mistake. The right was, he said, Muslims must believe that Islam is the only true religion without ignoring the importance of having tolerance towards other beliefs.

"So, never consider that all religions are true. We must stay committed that Islam is the only true (religion) without ignoring the truth of other religions in accordance with their adherents," Gus A'ab said. (ary)