In an interview published in a number of electronic and printed media on 12 January 2001, a kiai (Muslim leader) from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)'s Langitan circle—better known as Kiai Khos (Kiai Abdullah Abbas, from Buntet Islamic boarding school)—said that it was obligatory in Islam to retain Gus Dur as president and wage a jihad (holy war) to retain him. That interview has suddenly made my family and myself—who are close to NU people