Progressive Muslim scholar elected leader of Indonesia's influential Nahdlatul Ulama

Yahya Cholil Staquf's election has raised questions over whether Nahdlatul Ulama would further entrench itself in domestic politics. - SCREENGRAB FROM BAYT AR-RAHMAH

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): A well-regarded Islamic scholar hailed as a "symbol of the new generation" has been elected chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's influential Muslim group and the world's largest Islamic organisation.

Yahya Cholil Staquf, 55, defeated incumbent and two-term chairman Said Aqil Siradj and three other candidates in a tightly contested race on Friday (Dec 24) at NU's national congress.