Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A number of Muslim clerics met Said Aqil Siradj, general chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), on Sunday to express support for Muhaimin Iskandar, chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), as a vice presidential candidate.

PKB Deputy Secretary General Jazilul Fawaid when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday said that the Muslim clerics (kiai) who met with Aqil Siradj included Nurul Huda Jazuli (leader of Pondok Pesantren Al Falah or Alfalah Islamic Boarding School, Ploso Mojo Kediri); Miftahul Achyar (deputy chairman of PBNU`s legal advisory board); and Anwar Iskandar (Pondok Pesantren Al Amin leader of Kediri).

Also attended the meeting were Najib Abdul Qodir (leader of Huffadh Pondok Pesantren Al Munawwir Krapyak Yogyakarta); Subchan Al Mubarok (leader of Pondok Pesantren Perut Bumi Maulana Maghribi, Tuban Jawa Timur); Marzuki Mustamar (chairman of NU for East Java); and Gus Ali Shodiqin or Gus Ali Gondrong (leader of Pondok Pesantren Roudlotun Ni`mah, Semarang).

The meeting took place at the PBNU office in Jakarta, Sunday.

According to Jazilul, the meeting was a Muslim cleric forum with the chairman of the PBNU, because of that Muhaimin Iskandar and himself did not participate in the meeting. "I only communicate via telephone with the kiai," he said.

Jazilul Fawaid who is also a member of the House of Representatives Commission III explained that Muslim clerics met Said Aqil Siradj to share the same views and mission regarding support for an NU cadre to become a vice presidential candidate.

The Muslim clerics, he said have given the mandate to Muhaimin Iskandar to be the vice presidential candidate as the running mate of the incumbent President Joko Widodo. "Kiai met with the PBNU general chairman to consult and suggested steps to support the same figure," he said.



Reporting by Riza Harahap

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
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