Jombang. Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar will not seek the chairmanship of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) despite receiving support from members of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization, choosing instead to focus on his government duties, a senior ministry official said Thursday.

NU is holding its 35th national congress in Jombang, East Java, with the election of a new chairman among the main items on the agenda. President Prabowo Subianto attended the event to officially open the congress.

“Professor Nasaruddin Umar will focus on carrying out his duties as religious affairs minister,” Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary-General Kamaruddin Amin said.

The statement came after several voting members at the congress expressed support for Nasaruddin to enter the race for NU chairman.

Kamaruddin said Nasaruddin remains committed to carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to him by Prabowo, particularly efforts to improve the quality of religious life and strengthen interfaith harmony in Indonesia.

“The religious affairs minister expresses his gratitude for the support extended by congress participants and hopes that NU’s 35th congress will produce the best programs and leadership for the future of Indonesia’s largest mass organization,” Kamaruddin said.

NU is currently led by Yahya Cholil Staquf, who said last month that he was prepared to seek another term as chairman.

Yahya is the elder brother of former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who is currently a suspect in a corruption case.

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