News

NU leaders should be from NU

NU Online  ·  Jumat, 14 November 2008 | 08:03 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
The existence of NU would continue to survive if its leaders are those who have devoted themselves in struggling for NU and not those having no understanding about NU.

Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Said Aqil Siradj (Kang Said) made the remarks recently.<>

Kang Said was of view that those having no understanding about NU would be able to undermine the Nahdliyin-based organization.

He said that many Muslim organizations became powerless for being led by those who are not from their internal cadres.

Kang Said added during its 29th congress in Cipasung, West Java in 1994, NU was not free from intervention of the New Order regime. In the meantime KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) who was the New Order's opposition figure would be replaced by a leader that could be controlled by the regime.

"An organization controlled by other parties would not be a big and respected one," he told NU Online.

Under the leadership of Gus Dur's for three periods, NU became the largest and the most respected Muslim organization in the world that produced NU militant cadres , empowered civil society and brought change to Indonesia.

In the post of Gus Dur's era, NU was then led by KH Hasyim Muzadi to continue his struggle in developing NU especially in managing organization and developing NU outside Java.

"Each leader has his own period of time and both Gus Dur and Pak Hasyim are really appropriate with his own era," Kang Said said.

Then, who will be mandated to lead the Indonesia's biggest Muslim organization in the future? At this point, let us take a look at NU's 32nd Congress ahead. (mkf)