Its author urged to come to open dialogue

Jember, NU Online
The author of the book entitled "Ex-NU Cleric Calls Shalawat and Dzikir Syirik" H  Mahrus Ali was urged to come to a much-awaited open dialogue in dealing with his work on coming 12 March. If not, it should immediately be withdrawn from public circulation.

Chairman of Problems Deliberation Committee (LBM) of Jember's Nahdlatul Ulama Branch Board (PCNU) KH Abdullah Syamsul Arifin made the statement here on Sunday (9/3). NU Online's contributor Aryudi A. Razaq reported.<>

Kiai Abdullah did expect Mahrus to be able to come to the dialogue facilitated by High Institute of Islamic Studies Sunan Ampel Surabaya.

He was of view the dialogue was considered as such a friendly reaction of Nahdliyin (NU followers) in upholding and defending Nahdliyin rituals and practices that have so far been regarded as a truth basing mainly on Islamic sources.

While Chairman of Jember's Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) KH. Sahilun A. Nasir said the unreadiness of Mahrus to come to the dialogue had revealed his small-minded. Moreover it was a second challenge from the Jember's LMB.

He said the dialogue was absolutely important to clarify the claims of the two sides so there wuld be no such  truth claim. If Mahrus is not ready it means he is not responsible for his book, he said.

"I still hope Mahrus to be gentle," Kiai Sahilun said, adding that Mahrus should not make pretext over his unreadiness to come to the scholarly dialogue. (rif)