Hasyim hopes NU congress to be opened by president from NU

Makassar, NU Online
General chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi hoped the NU Congress which will be held in Makassar in January 2009 ahead to be opened by president from NU.

Hasyim made the remarks as addressing the Annual Meeting of Muslimat NU at the Sudiang Hajj Dormitory, Makassar, South Sulawesi on Saturday (30/5).<>

"How happy it would be if the (NU) Congress here opened by president from NU who is also a local figure here," Hasyim said without mentioning the name of the presidential hopeful.

Hasyim admitted that his willingness was inspired from a momentous event that was held in Kediri East Java in 1999. "The (NU) Congress in Lirboyo (the oldest pesantren in Kediri; read) was officially opened by a president from NU," he said.

In the meantime the great event of the Indonesia's biggest Muslim organization was opened by President KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) who is also the former general chairman of PBNU and is grandson of H.E Hadratus Shekh KH Hasyim Asy'ari.

Asked by reporters, Hasyim said that his statement was not part of NU support to a certain presidential/vice presidential candidate pair, adding the NU support in the much-awaited presidential election was returned to Nahdliyin (NU followers).

"The political rights have been given to Nahdliyin as citizens," Hasyim said, adding there was a tendency to whom the Nahdliyin would cast their votes in the July's presidential election.

While among the presidential candidates, Jusuf Kalla is the only candidate from NU. Jusuf Kalla nominated by Golkar Party and the People's Conscience (Hanura) Party has till mandated as Supreme Council of the NU Regional Board of South Sulawesi. (rif)