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At NU congress, Jokowi’s plaudits highlight ideological rift
Nahdlatul Ulama has grown increasingly close to the government, sparking concerns from within the group that it is violating its longstanding principle of political neutrality.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivers a speech at the opening of the 34th Nahdlatul Ulama national congress in the Darussa'adah pesantren (Islamic boarding school), in Lampung, on Wednesday. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A)
N
ahdlatul Ulama (NU) opened its 34th muktamar (national congress) on Wednesday with words of praise from President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as he thanked the nation’s largest grassroots Muslim organization for its large role in supporting government initiatives.
The congress was held in Lampung after a year-long delay and a politically charged tussle over the date the congress would be held following developments in the country’s COVID-19 situation. The event foregrounds a chairmanship race that observers say could entrench the group further in national politics.
The muktamar, the organization’s most important gathering, is traditionally held every five years to elect new leadership and address national issues.
In his opening remarks at the Daarussa'adah pesantren (Islamic boarding school), Jokowi lauded the organization for helping guide Indonesia’s Muslim community through the pandemic, highlighting its crucial role in persuading Muslims to adhere to health protocols and take part in the national COVID-19 vaccination program.
“On behalf of the government […] on behalf of the people [and] the state, I express my gratitude and great respect to Nahdlatul Ulama for helping the government comfort the public and the community during the pandemic," the President said.
He also thanked NU for safeguarding tolerance and pluralism, the state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, as well as supporting national integrity.
