NU Chairman Calls Truce Between Ahok and MUI Chairman Ma’ruf
Jakarta. The chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama's central leadership board, or PBNU, Nusron Wahid said on Friday (03/02) there is no hard feelings between Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Indonesian Ulema Council, or MUI, Chairman Ma’ruf Amin — also an NU cleric — after the two were embroiled in a public slanging match this week over accusations that the MUI chairman had colluded with former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discredit Ahok, who is running for re-election against former education minister Anies Baswedan and Yudhoyono's son, Agus Harimurti.
Nusron said Ma’ruf has already accepted an apology from Ahok. "Ahok has apologized and Ma’ruf has forgiven him. There's no more dispute between them," Nusron said.
The former chairman of NU’s youth wing, GP Ansor, also denied rumors that the Islamic organization's paramilitary wing Banser NU had wanted to raid Rumah Lembang, Ahok-Djarot campaign team's base camp.
"Banser never conducts raids. They understand and always follow the law," Nusron said.
Ahok had got into hot water again after he and his lawyers objected to Ma'ruf's testimony during his blasphemy trial in South Jakarta on Tuesday (31/01).
Ahok's objection was interpreted by many NU members as an insult against their spiritual leader.
Ahok immediately apologized to Ma'ruf in an official statement and video, which the MUI chairman had warmly welcomed.
Ahok is also planning to meet Ma'ruf in person to show his appreciation for being forgiven so quickly by the NU elder.
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