REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The 33rd Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is held in Jombang, East Java on August 1st to 5th. There are some figures that are considered as strong candidates of the NU’s Chairman for 2015-2020.
One of them is Said Aqil Siradj, M.A.
Said Aqil Siradj was a Chairman (Tanfidziyah) of NU for 2010-2015. He has declared himself to be the Chairman of the NU again in 33rd congress of NU in Jombang. He was born in Cirebon, West Java, 3rd July 1953. He is an academic, who now teaches at the Postgraduate Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta.
He completed his degree from S1 to S3 in Saudi Arabia. His S1 was at the University of King Abdul Aziz, Department of Islamic Theology and Da'wa, graduated in 1982. Then he continued his S2 in the Umm al-Qura University, majoring in Comparative Religion, graduated in 1987. His S3 was at the Umm al-Qura University, majoring Aqeedah/Islamic Philosophy, graduated in 1994.
After returned to Indonesia, he became a member of the MPR during 1999-2004 as a representative of NU.
In the previous congress he was elected as the Chairman of the NU and his leadership expires this year. In that election, Said Aqil won over Slamet Effendi Yusuf by obtaining 294 voices. While Slamet Effendi Yusuf only got 201 voices. In the second round, Said Aqil was finnaly as the winner with 178 voices. It fulfilled the qualification of congress that a candidate had to collect 99 voices to become a chairman.
Said Aqil is agree with Ahlul Halli Wal 'Aqdi (AHWA) as a system of election. He stated that AHWA system is a testament of Kiai Sahal Mahfuz, who is a former of Rais' Aam of the NU.
NU 32nd in Makassar previously brought bad experiences when Rais' Aam was elected by voting, even though later KH Sahal was chosen after KH Hasyim resignation.
Related to Islam Nusantara, Said Aqil explained that Islam Nusantara is not a new mazhab in Islam. Islam Nusantara is a view of Indonesian Muslims that are attached to the cultural heritage.
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