Gus Mus: Never involve NU in practical politics

Rembang, Pondok Darussalam Jatibarang. As followers of Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah (Aswaja), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has to pay more attention to both the NU identities and the organization rather than the interests of others.

Deputy General Chairman of the Advisory Board (Rais Aam) of NU KH Mustafa Bisri (Gus Mus) made the remarks at a religious gathering attended by thousands of Nahdliyin (NU followers), including NU administrators.

Gus Mus: Never involve NU in practical politics (Sumber Gambar : Nu Online)

Gus Mus: Never involve NU in practical politics

At the gathering held by the Lasems chapter of NU at the Lasems Grand Mosque, Rembang, Central Java, on Sunday, Gus Mus called for the importance of Nahdliyin not to involve NU in any practical politics.

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"As Nahdliyin and the followers of H.E. Hadratush Sheikh KH Hasyim Asyari, we must not involve NU in (any) practical politics that can disturb brotherhood among fellow Nahdliyin as organization (jamiyyah)," he said.

Gus Mus said, instead of involving itself pratical politics which is based on practical consideration, NU had long involved in civilized politics which is based on moral considerations.

Meanwhile, the organizing committee, Muhklis, explained, through this gathering the Nahdliyin were expected to have broad understanding in determining and taking political measures which are in line with the so-called Khittah (organization principles).

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Reporting by Ahmad Asmui; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq

Dari (National) Nu Online: http://www.nu.or.id/post/read/47251/gus-mus-never-involve-nu-in-practical-politics

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Saudi ambassador asked to clarify stance on Prophet Muhammads tomb

Jakarta, NU Onlline

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin on Thursday met with the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to express his concern about a proposal to move the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, but the envoy said there was no such plan.

I will tell the ambassador that the majority of Indonesian Muslims strongly object to the plan, Lukman was quoted as saying by news portal jpnn.com on Thursday, before the meeting.

Saudi ambassador asked to clarify stance on Prophet Muhammads tomb (Sumber Gambar : Nu Online)

Saudi ambassador asked to clarify stance on Prophet Muhammads tomb

According to a report by British newspaper The Independent, a Saudi academic recently revealed a 61-page proposal to move the prophets tomb and his remains from the Nabawi mosque in Medina to the nearby Al-Baqi cemetery. The idea behind the proposal was to prevent Muslims from committing idolatry by venerating the tomb. At the cemetery, the prophet would be given an anonymous grave.

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But Lukman said after the meeting that the Saudi ambassador, Mustafa Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, denied that his government was planning to move the tomb. In fact, the ambassador had told him the Saudi government was committed to keeping the remains at the Nabawi mosque.

On Wednesday, Said Aqil Siradj, chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), urged the Indonesian government to make known its opposition to the plan.

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The PBNU will send a letter to the president, asking for the Indonesian government to send a letter to Saudi Arabias government to remind them not to remove the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad, said Said, as quoted by Antara.

Nahdlatul Ulama is the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia.

The Prophet Muhammads tomb is visited by millions of pilgrims from around the world every year.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq

Dari (National) Nu Online: http://www.nu.or.id/post/read/54301/saudi-ambassador-asked-to-clarify-stance-on-prophet-muhammad039s-tomb

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NU supports customer asking transparency from Alfamart

Jakarta, Pondok Darussalam Jatibarang. The Central board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in a letter signed by General Chairman of NU KH Said Aqil Siroj and Secretary General of NU H. A. Helmy Faisal Zaini has supported Mustolih Siradj asking Alfamart stores to report the donations of consumers for donating their money returns.

According to Kiai Said there must be transparency and accountability of those responsible for the donations given by the public (consumers) who have donated money returns to one of the leading retailers in Indonesia.

NU supports customer asking transparency from Alfamart (Sumber Gambar : Nu Online)

NU supports customer asking transparency from Alfamart

"Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) fully supports the efforts and endeavors of Mustolih Siradj, a student who is also the consumer and the donor of Alfamart, to urge transparency in donations made by Alfamart (Alfaria Trijaya Resources Tbk)," he said here on Thursday (16/2).

Transparency and accountability, said Kiai Said, were very important to make those in charge of donations responsible, trustworthy, accountable, effective, and not to harm communities.

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According to Mustolih, during his 30-minute meeting with Kiai Said, his efforts will also be supported by the NU Legal Aid and the Ansor Youth Movement.

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In November 2015 Mustolih wrote to the Director of PT Sumber Alfarian Trijaya Tbk (Alfamart), asking transparency related to the donations of consumers.

Therefore, Mustolih brought the matter to the Central Information Commission (KIP). In October 2016, the trial process began. On December 16, 2016, KIP decided that Alfamart must provide the data requested by Mustolih. On February 9, 2017 Mustolih got a call from the Tangerang District Court. He and the KIP were sued by Alfamart.

In terms of the transparency of public donations entering into a legal process, according to Said Kiai, the process must be followed. "But the transparency movement should be supported," he said. (Abdullah Alawi/Masdar)

Dari (National) Nu Online: http://www.nu.or.id/post/read/75484/nu-supports-customer-asking-transparency-from-alfamart-

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Security tight as Indonesia celebrates Idul Fitri

Jakarta, Pondok Darussalam Jatibarang. Tens of millions of Muslims in Indonesia celebrated the Idul Fitri holiday Thursday as fears of fresh attacks at Buddhist sites prompted a security clampdown days after a temple bombing.

The past week has seen an exodus from cities in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, with people taking to cars, boats and planes to head home to their families across the archipelago of more than 17,000 islands.

Security tight as Indonesia celebrates Idul Fitri (Sumber Gambar : Nu Online)

Security tight as Indonesia celebrates Idul Fitri

Indonesia is one of the first countries in the Islamic world to kick off Idul Fitri celebrations, with people ending the fasting month of Ramadan with lavish feasts and by attending services at mosques and taking part in processions.

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Muslims in Australia were among the first to celebrate and Afghan President Hamid Karzai is due to deliver an address at Idul Fitri prayers in Kabul.

Malaysians also marked Idul Fitri on Thursday, with Gulf states expected to follow. Pakistan and North Africa are expected to start festivities on Friday.

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While most Indonesians were celebrating, it is an anxious time for the countrys minority Buddhists after an attack on a temple in Jakarta on Sunday.

One person was injured when a small bomb exploded at the Ekayana temple as hundreds were praying, an attack motivated by anger at the plight of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

It sparked fears that radicals could be poised to launch further attacks on one of Islams holiest days, as they shift from targeting the countrys Christian and Muslim minorities to Buddhists.

Security was stepped up at Buddhist sites, with the number of police and guards at the famed Borobudur temple complex in Central Java doubled to 418, according to temple official Purnomo Siswo Prasetyo.

Buddhist temples are one of the key locations we are securing, national police spokesman Ronny Sompie told AFP.

More than 140,000 police had been deployed across the country in the past week to guard against attacks at all sites deemed vulnerable, including Buddhist temples, he added.

Sidney Jones, a Jakarta-based terrorism expert from the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, warned there could be further attacks.

The problem is that temples are unfortunately an easy target, and young militants have always been opportunistic in their actions, she said.

Anger over the Rohingya has escalated in Indonesia in recent months, with police uncovering a plot to bomb the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta in May and hardliners calling for jihad in Myanmar during demonstrations.

Two waves of unrest between Muslims and Buddhists in the Rohingya home state of Rakhine last year left many dead and tens of thousands mainly Rohingya displaced.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq

Dari (National) Nu Online: http://www.nu.or.id/post/read/46425/security-tight-as-indonesia-celebrates-idul-fitri

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