ANTARA News :: Ex-President`s party to form Islamic wing

Ex-President`s party to form Islamic wing

Bandung, W Java (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) will soon form a new wing called `Baitul Muslimin` which hopefully can accommodate aspirations of Islamic but nationalist ulemas, an official said.

The Baitul Muslimin will be declared at the PDIP headquarters in Jakarta on March 29, party spokesperson Ari Junaedi said here Wednesday.

Leaders of Indonesia`s largest Islamic organizations Hasyim Muzadi of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Dien Syamsuddin (Muhammadiyah) as well as noted Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra, and other prominent Islamic public figures will attend the declaration, he said.

PDIP cadres who were named governors, district heads, and mayors as well as members of the House Representatives (DPR), the provincial legislative assemblies and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) will also witness the declaration.

The declaration of the `Baitul Muslimin` will increase number of PDIP`s organization wings to 3. The other two wings are women organization `Srikandi Demokrasi Indonesia` and youth group `Banteng Muda Indonesia`.

Quoting PDIP chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, Ari said the declaration of the new wing had nothing to do with the preparation for presidential election in 2009.

"We just want to accommodate the Islamic spirit within nationalists. I hope the `Baitul Muslimin` will not disperse existing Islamic mass organizations but together we will uphold justice and welfare," Ari said.

Ari who is a candidate for a doctorate degree in communication at the Bandung-based University of Padjadjaran also said the declaration will also be used to express support for Megawati who is former president to become a speaker at the East Asia Senior Leaders` Forum which will be held in Fukuoka from March 31 to April 1.(*)

ANTARA News :: Ex-President`s party to form Islamic wing