"The Istighotsah (mass prayer) is a regular prayer gathering and there will be nothing else," was the explanation from an NU functionary regarding the mass prayer held in Senayan, the day before the DPR's plenary session decided on issuing the second memorandum for Gus Dur.

Since Abdurrahman Wahid became president, NU has proven to be a political party, especially in defending Gus Dur. This includes the mass meeting they call istighosah, which was