Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to attend the commemoration of the 85th anniversary of Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at Bung Karno Stadium here on July 17.

"The President warmly welcomed (our invitation). God willing, he will come," NU Chairman KH Said Aqil Siraj said following a meeting with the President at the presidential office here on Monday.

At the meeting, the head of state also gave inputs to NU, Said Aqil said without elaborating.

He said the President also expressed gratitude to NU executive board members who had made the country`s largest Islamic organization play an active role in helping resolve any problem facing the Indonesian nation.

Said Aqil said thousands of ulemas from throughout the country were expected to attend the peak commemoration of the organization`s 85th anniversary at Bung Karno Stadium.

He said a series of activities would be organized ahead of the peak commemoration, including a seminar on people-based economy and exhibition displaying a wide range of handicraft goods produced by NU members.

NU was founded by KH Hasyim Ashari in Surabaya, East Java, in 1926. The organization is believed to have more than 35 million members nationwide. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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