Gus Dur-Kiai Hasyim, Closer Opponent
"The NU kiai feel that Abdurrahman is being forced to go down in unfair ways. Therefore, the kiai think they should defend the President. "
Friday, March 17, 2017
Tuesday night at Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, that's different than usual, is really special. The night in early November 2007, almost a month after Idul Fitri, the Nahdlatul Ulama Board of Directors gathered to stay in touch, to be forgiving. Everyone rejoices.
But there is something more special. In front of the kiai and administrators of the largest Islamic organization in this archipelago, also cadres nahdliyin in cabinet and parliament building, Abdurrahman Wahid and Ahmad Hasyim Muzadi joke. Gus Dur, a greeting to Abdurrahman, led the NU from 1984 to 1998, before being replaced by Kiai Hasyim.
Gus Dur got his first turn on the podium. The 4th RI president, who does have a myriad of funny stories, is immediately throwing jokes. Before coming to Sultan Hotel, Gus Dur recalled, he had met Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno, the elder PDI Perjuangan. To Soetardjo, he said he would come to the NU halalbihalal event at Sultan Hotel.
"He was amazed. 'Lo, NU really at the hotel,' "Gus Dur quoted Mbah Tardjo's comments, senior figures of the Party of the Bull is usually addressed. Cash kiai and nahdliyin cadres laughed. After the audience's laughter subsided, he resumed the story. This time he claimed to quote the story of Hasyim Muzadi.
One day, Abdurrahman recounted, Kiai Hasyim received a resident near his pesantren. The man admits to being confused by the different rakaat in tarawih prayers and witr in some mosques. "Said Kiai Hasyim, whose 23 cycles were allowed, of which 11 rakats were also allowed. Those who do not pray tarawih are also allowed, "Abdurrahman quoted Kiai Hasyim as saying. Ladies laughed again.