NU: Palestine must be an independent state

Jakarta, NU Online
The Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has reiterated the importance of Palestine to be an independent and sovereign state.

General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Said Aqil Siraj called on all arties, including the United Nations to support Palestinians seeking an independent state and an end to the Israeli occupation.

"Our attitude remains unchanged, Palestine must be a sovereign state," Siroj said on the sidelines of a meeting with NU senior figures such Slamet Effendy Yusuf and Marshudi Syuhud here on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Slamet was of the opinion that after the experience of tens of years of military occupation and all the conflict and friction, the future of Palestine must be taken into consideration.

In the meeting, he deliberately took up issues on Palestine following his plan to reportedly leave for the Middle East countries and his capacity as representative of the world's largest Muslim organization.

"NU's official stance is important for me to be conveyed directly to the officials of Israel and other countries who will I meet," Slamet said.

Mas Slamet added, that the political constellation in the Middle East and any development in the region should to be examined by NU "as part of the largest Muslim population in the world."

"I need to discuss this matter, so that  in an international forum I can be careful and precise in conveying the views of NU," he explained. (enh)