Said Aqil: The conflict in PBNU is very ironic and shameful

KEDIRI - Former PBNU General Chair KH Said Aqil Siroj invites all parties to respect the PBNU Mustasyar meeting which was held to find a way out of the internal conflict in the Nahdlatul Ulama General Board (PBNU).

In the musyawarah kubro forum at Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo, Kediri, East Java, Sunday, December 21, Said Aqil admitted that he was concerned and felt ironic about the conflict. According to him, this condition is contrary to the identity of NU which has always been known as moderate and often becomes a mediator of conflicts.

"It is very ironic and very shameful. We are known to be able to be mediators, moderates, tawasut and tawazun, but we are in conflict ourselves," he said.

Said Aqil invited all parties to conduct introspection or introspection, not blame each other, and dare to admit their mistakes. "If you have introspection, let's say what I'm wrong, not others. Why can the dispute in PBNU be as bad as this to become a public spectacle," he said.

Said Aqil also emphasized the importance of respecting the results of the kubro deliberations, which had previously been initiated by a meeting at Al Falah Pesantren, Kediri, and Tebuireng Pesantren, Jombang. He ensured that the PBNU conflict did not involve government intervention.

"Until now the Palace has not interfered. Let's finish it soon, islah. If not, the muktamar will be handed over to the PCNU and PWNU," he said.

Meanwhile, the General Chair of PBNU, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, stated that he was open to clarification and tabayun by presenting the necessary evidence and witnesses. He emphasized that from the beginning he wanted reform and was ready to submit to the forum's decision.

"I am ready to be a product of al haq, not al batin. I am submissive to whatever is agreed upon by the PWNU, PCNU, and mustasyar," he said.

Gus Yahya also revealed that he had sent a message to Rais Aam to ask for time to meet after the forum agreement, but had not received a response. Gus Yahya stated that he would wait until the 3x24 hour deadline.

The musyawarah musyawarah forum at Lirboyo Pesantren was attended by hundreds of representatives of PWNU, PCNU, and PCINU both directly and online, and urged that the internal conflict of PBNU be immediately resolved through islah in order to maintain the dignity and integrity of the NU jamiyah.