JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Mustofa Bisri or popularly known as Gus Mus was appointed as new Supreme Leader for the largest Muslim organization in the country, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), replacing the late Muhammad Ahmad Sahal Mahfudz.

Gus Mus will hold the highest position in the NU until the Congress, called as Muktamar, to be held in 2015. Gus Mus also holds his current position as Vice Supreme Leader for NU as the leaders of NU did not name new figure at Monday’s extraordinary meeting, to replacing Gus Mus.

Born in Rembang, Central Java on August 10, 1944, Gus Mus is also head of Pondok Pesantren Raudlatuth Thalibin in his hometown.

Gus Mus is known as a respected Muslim cleric and also a writer and a poet. As a poet, Gus Mus used his poems to deliver his critical thoughts about the country’s sociopolitical condition. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)