NU clerics expect Gus Sholah to be NU chairman

Jombang, NU Online
Ahead of the NU 32nd Congress in Makassar next month, a large number of NU clerics (kiai) in Jombang East Java expressed their support for KH Sholahuddin Wahid (Gus Sholah) to be general chairman of the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization.

The clerics even held a religious gathering aimed at praying Gus Sholah for his candidacy as general chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) at the much-awaited NU forum.<>

"Because we have no right to vote, we only can pray for Gus Sholah to expectedly be elected as (general) chairman of PBNU in the March congress ahead," the leader of Al Aqobah Islamic boarding school, Diwek, KH Junaidi Hidayat was quoated by beritajatim.com as saying here Thursday.

Junaidi explained that as Nahdliyin (NU followers) the clerics who are also the leaders of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) across Jombang did expect all participants to give their vote for the younger brother of the late KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur).

Junaidi argued that in addition to being the descendant of the NU founding father Hadratus Sheikh KH Hasyim Asy'ari, Gus Sholah "has also been considered an outstanding Muslim intellectual."

"Gus Sholah has also had more access from within and outside the country. And the most important thing is that he is considerably capable of matters related to the organizational management," Junaidi said.

Present also at the occassion were KH Zaimuddin Asad (Darul Ulum), KH Afif Sholeh (Tambak Beras), KH Sholeh Ma'sum(Darussalam Mojowarno), KH Ahmad Dhairobi (Irsadul Ibad Balongbesuk), Ali Muhajir Zamzami (Darunnajah Tebuireng) and KH Taufiqurrahman Muchid (Sunan Ampel).

"There are some clerics not able to attend (the forum) but they still support the KH Sholahuddin Wahid's candidacy in the NU congress ahead," he said. (dar)