"It was purely criminal and was not a clash between Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) members and Shiite followers. It was between two brothers who fought for power," the chief of Nahdlatul Ulama organization, Said Aqil Siraj, said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - An Islamic leader has said the recent conflict in Sampang, Madura island, East Java province, was not between Nahdlatul Ulama (Sunnis) members and Shiites.

"It was purely criminal and was not a clash between Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) members and Shiite followers. It was between two brothers who fought for power," the chief of Nahdlatul Ulama organization, Said Aqil Siraj, said after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the palace here on Tuesday.

He added that the conflict was between two brothers, Tajul Muluk and his younger brother Rohis, who had their own followers.

"The two brothers had been feuding, but the fight later spread to their followers," Siraj noted.

To resolve the problem, he said, he sought the intervention of NU leaders in East Java. "I asked the vice governor (who is also an NU leader) to intervene and he has already taken steps to improve the situation," Siraj stated.

He added that he would soon visit the village.

"The Sunni followers and Shiites have lived together harmoniously for a long time in the region and have never been involved in any conflict," Siraj said, referring to an NU boarding school in Pasuruan situated near a Shiite boarding school in Bangil.

Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali has also confirmed that the conflict in Sampang was not between NU and Shiite members but between two family members.

"I have urged the media to let everyone know that it was purely a family feud," he said.

Suryadharma added that the government was continuing to make efforts to improve the security situation in the area and restore peace.

As has been reported earlier, some Shiite members in Nanggernang, Sampang, were attacked in an incident that left two dead and many injured on Sunday.

NU is one of the biggest Islamic organizations in Indonesia and the majority of Muslims in East Java are NU members.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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