Markus Junianto Sihaloho & Anita Rachman – Whoever is elected next week to head the country's largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, would maintain its distance from politics, particularly political parties.

The pledge to uphold this principle was put forward by the three candidates vying for the NU chairmanship, Ahmad Bagja, Sholahuddin Wahid and Masdar F Mas'udi.

Speaking in Jakarta on Sunday, Ahmad, currently secretary general of NU, said he would focus more on spiritual and social issues.

Ahmad said the NU Constitution banned the organization's board members from becoming political party activists and should be upheld.

He said the NU leadership would focus on becoming genuine ulema (scholars) and protecting members from bad influences, including radicalism.

"In the future the NU also must give real support to world peace," Ahmad said. "One way to do this is by promoting the International Conference on Islamic Scholars."

Senior NU figure Sholahuddin, 68, the brother of the late President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, said NU involvement in politics had caused disunity within the group, particularly during regional elections when senior members of the organization were used by political interests.

"I don't want this to happen again. With me as its leader, I can assure you that NU will return to its social and educational activities," he said.

Shloahuddin said that as NU head he would focus on economic empowerment and protecting the environment.

Masdar, the current NU deputy chairman, said NU should abandon political pursuits and focus on community empowerment.