REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Preparations for the 33rd Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), to be held in Jombang, East Java, are 99 percent complete, according to Said Aqil Siradj, the general chairman of the Islamic organization.
"I came to Jombang some time ago to monitor the preparations being made at the venue for the opening ceremony, as well as at mosques and boarding schools. I can say that 99 percent of the preparations have been completed," he said at his office here on Tuesday.
He added that he had also checked security measures to be implemented and that they were ready, as well.
In addition, the East Java Police Command plans to deploy 1,500 of its personnel to ensure stable security conditions at the event, Siradj stated.
Security measures will be focused on controlling traffic, which is expected to be congested due to the event to be held in early August, he pointed out.
The flow of traffic is expected to be the heaviest when President Joko Widodo is scheduled to arrive in Jombang to officially open the conference.
Moreover, Chairman of the Organizing Committee Imam Azis remarked that Jombang was chosen to host the event because of its historical significance. Founders of NU were born in the district.
He further noted that the conference coincided with the 100th anniversary of the organization, which is one of the biggest in the country.
Four large boarding schools will be used for the meeting. These are Tebu Ireng, Tambak Besar, Denanyar and Bahrul Ulum.