by Mathias Hariyadi

Elected as the new leader of the organisation, Sais Agil Siradj wants to promote basic education and social and economic assistance for everyone. He reiterates his organisation’s commitment to the fight against terrorism and to openness towards minorities and other religions.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Sais Agil Siradj, the new leader of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said that he was close to the founding principles that gave rise to the Muslim organisation, which will remain above the political fray. In his inaugural address as NU chief, he laid out his plans for the organisation and indicated that his real concern was to guarantee a basic education to everyone and provide social and economic assistance to Muslims throughout Indonesia. Known for its moderate views, NU has in the past defended Christians, both Protestants and Catholics, from the violence of Muslim extremists.

It is a “great honour” to be elected head of the movement,” Sais Agil Siradj said. “I shall not drag the NU into the political fray,”, he added, “nor shall I join a political party”, in what is not a subtle reference to outgoing NU leader Kiai Hajj Hasyim Muzadi, who was Megawati Sukarnoputri’s running mate in the 2004 presidential election.

Siradj (seen here with wife) will follow the line of former NU leader and former President Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, who insisted that the organisation should not become a political party, a task that belongs to the National Awakening Party (PKB). NU members should thus keep politics and religion apart.

Finally, the NU’s new president reminded his audience, “None of the students staying at one of the organisation’s 14,000 boarding schools is tied to terrorism” and that he would fight to preserve the “pluralist spirit” that characterises the movement.

In directly addressing the issue of terrorism, the new leader responded to an appeal made by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who during the five-day meeting of the organisation, called for a “joint effort” in the struggle against religious extremism and terrorism.

Siradj, who is a graduate of a Saudi university, will be joined by Kiai Hajj Sahal Mahfudz as his second in command at the helm of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation with some 60 million members.

Founded in 1926, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), is a Sunni Muslim organisation known for its tolerance towards other Muslim groups and religious minorities.

Former President Abdurrahman Wahid was one of its most charismatic leaders. He played a key role in repealing laws that discriminated against the country’s Chinese minority.

• indonesia
• nahdlatul
• ulama
• muslims
• islan
• democracy
• human
• rights
• religious
• freedom