NU urged to cool down situation prior to Jakarta election

Jakarta, NU Online
In light of the heated-up election climate sparked by Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama’s statement about a Quranic verse, a political researcher has demanded that Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Islamic organization in the country, cool down the situation in the capital city prior to the upcoming the election.

As an organization with religious authority and a huge membership, NU could play an important role in assuaging people and members of Islamic organizations who are angry about Ahok, said Sirojudin Abbas, survey program director of Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"NU should be outspoken and express its views because the organization is crucial to calming down the residents. NU doesn't only have religious capacity but also the authority to give comfort to residents," Sirojudin was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying on Tuesday.

Sirojudin credited NU central board (PBNU) chairman Said Aqil Siradj who has urged Muslims to forgive Ahok after he apologized for citing Surah al-Maidah, verse 51 of the Quran, during his visit to Thousand Islands on Sept. 27.

Previously, hundreds of people declared that they were ready to die in order to drag Ahok into court over the matter. Religious tensions in the capital were also raised recently by cross symbols being drawn on the Al-Falah mosque in Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta.

“NU as a moderate organization should be active in mitigating these things,” he said. (Masdar)