REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) has no role in the banning of noted Muslim preacher Abdul Somad from entering Hong Kong, PBNU Secretary Helmy Faishal Zaini said.

"The statement alleging the role of Chairman of PBNU KH Said Aqil Siroj behind Somad's Hong Kong entry ban is a slander," Zaini told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The PBNU secretary general's comments came as news flashed in the media about the efforts to prevent ustaz Somad from holding a lecture in Hong Kong. The move to prevent ustaz Somad's lecture in Hong Kong was linked to Nahdlatul Ulama, especially Siroj.

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According to him, PBNU has no power and authority to prevent people from entering a country. It also does not have time to do things that have nothing to do with the interests of the organization.

Furthermore, Zaini argued that the government must be in charge of fully explaining the chronological seating and causes of the repatriation of ustaz Somad from Hong Kong.

"This is very important as part of the government's responsibility," he added.

According to him, PBNU, as an organization active in the Islamic propagation in principle, deeply regretted the incident.

"I personally hope that the public will not be provoked by the tendentious news that is not based on facts," he explained.

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