MUI chairman to the Palace for Bukber, does not know the discussion about BoP

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) KH Anwar Iskandar came to the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta, Thursday, March 5. His agenda, he said, was to break the fast together. "Break the fast together," he said.

Anwar said the meeting was held with the Minister of ATR/BPN Nusron Wahid. Invitations were also distributed to the general chairmen of Islamic organizations, mubalig, and the heads of large pesantren boarding schools that have a wide network.

"Later all the general chairmen of Islamic organizations, as well as mubalig, and the caretaker of the pesantren, who have large pesantren and have a wide network," said KH Anwar Iskandar to reporters.

Asked whether there was an agenda for discussion with the President other than the press conference, Anwar doubted it. Time was considered tight.

"It seems that if you look at the time limit, it doesn't seem like it," he said.

Even so, he admitted that the discussion would be better if there was room.

"If there is a discussion, it is even better. Because there needs to be better communication between ulama and umara," he said.

Anwar's attitude hardened when the questions shifted to the Middle East conflict and the BoP issue, a topic that later dragged MUI because of his attitude that wanted Indonesia to get out of the BoP. He chose to close the discussion. "I don't know," he repeated.

Anwar only conveyed a general hope: all parties refrain and the conflict does not hit the economy, especially Indonesia.

"We want it to be all restrained, peace is created, and it does not affect the economy, especially Indonesia," he said.

Nusron Wahid, who was next to KH Anwar Iskandar, added that former Vice President Jusuf Kalla was invited to attend as the General Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI).