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NU calls for prayers for late Idham Chalid

Ahad, 11 Juli 2010 | 09:29 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
The executive board of the country`s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) expressed condolences over the demise of Idham Chalid and called on its members to pray for the former NU leader.

"On behalf of the central executive board of NU, we expressed our deepest condolences and called on the NU members to convey prayers for the Late Idham Chalid who once chaired the organization for 28 years," NU General Chairman Said Aqil Siroj said here on Sunday.r />
Said Aquil remembered Idham Chalid, general chairman of NU for the 1956 - 1984 period, as a figure of moderate ulema-cum politician.

"He is acceptable to anywhere and always maintains neutrality, not extremism," Aqil Siroj said.

The former central executive chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and chairmen of the People`s Consultative Assembly/House of Representatives (MPR/DPR) Dr.Idham Chalid passed away at the age of 88 at his home in the Darrul Maarif educational complex in Cipete, South Jakarta, Sunday at 8 am after an illness of 10 years.

Idham Chalid was also former second deputy prime minister in the President Soekarno administration.

His body is laid in state at his residence in Cipete, South Jakarta. He will be buried at a cemetery in the compound of Darul Quran Islamic boarding school in Cisarua, West Java, on Monday.

Born in Setui, South Kalimantan, on August 27, 1922, Idham Chalid was survived by a wife, children and grandchildren.

Idham Chalid was chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama from 1956 to 1984 and the chairman of MPR/DPR from 1972 to 1977. He was also known as the founder of the Islam-based United Development Party (PPP). (dar)