PRESIDENT CALLS ON NU TO SHUN VIOLENCE, EXTREMISM

Jakarta, March 23 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to remain a religious social organization that shuns violence and extremism.

In his speech at the opening of the 32nd national conference of the country's largest Islamic organization in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Tuesday the President said NU has been recognized in the country and even by the world as a religious social organization with a centrist, straightforward and moderate character.

NU, he said, is also known as an organization that respects freedom and pluralism and makes Islam a real blessing for all.

"Since the colonial era, NU has been the pioneer of civilization development based on Islamic as well as Indonesian values. Its educational, religious propagation and social activities have always been based on local wisdoms, Indonesian as well as the universal Islamic values. NU has always extolled pluralism and religious tolerance. This is the basic principle and the struggle of Nahdlatul Ulama which never ends," he said.

In view of that President Yudhoyono gave his appreciation to the active role NU and its clerics have tirelessly played to develop Islamic teachings.

"As a head of state I really wish all NU members would remain in the forefront as pioneers and set an example like before," he said.

As an influential Islamic organization he said NU has not only contributed to the enlightening and education of its followers but has worked beyond religious differences.

The President hoped NU would continue keeping its commitment by propagating Islam peacefully, wisely and examples to prove that Islam is really a blessing for all.

"NU should remain the vanguard with regard to developing Islamic values which are universal and a bridge towards progress in the civilization which will give benefits to all people. This will be the historic task of NU which it has always carried out since its establishment until now and in the future," he said.

The head of state also called on all NU members in the country to strengthen propagation foundation, strategy and methods so that NU members and all Muslims would not lose their character in the middle of continuous changes.

"In the future I hope all clerics would keep improving the quality of their propagation by mainly paying much attention to visions of Islam, nation and welfare," he said.

He hoped the beginning of this 21st century would become the year for the clerics or NU's awakening like the national awakening that occurred in the beginning of the 20th century almost one hundred years ago.

"We hope NU could return to its noble principle. Upon the clerics we rely our hope to make the nation more respectful. The clerics could become the compass and guides for building the Indonesian nation to be a nation of character, respectful and competitive," he said.