35th NU Congress Urged to Be Free from Political Interests
Jakarta, VIVA – The caregiver of the Ma’hadul Ilmi As-Syar’iyati (MIS) Sarang Islamic Boarding School, KH Achmad Rosikh Roghibi or Gus Rosikh, has stressed that the implementation of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress must be free from various practical political interests or economic orientations that could harm the organisation’s noble values.
Gus Rosikh stated that the Congress, as NU’s highest deliberative forum, should be a sacred space filled with the spirit of sincerity and communal responsibility, not an arena for power struggles or profit-based transactions.
“NU is built on the foundation of the scholars’ struggles. If the Congress is infiltrated by political and material interests, then the direction of NU’s struggle will deviate from its path,” said Gus Rosikh in his statement on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.
Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of returning the leadership of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) to the dzuriyah muassis, the descendants of NU’s founders, who are seen to have a close historical, cultural, and spiritual connection to the organisation’s core values.
“It is time for PBNU to be led again by the dzuriyah muassis who truly understand the spirit of NU’s struggle. This is not about exclusivity, but about preserving the continuity of values and the trust of the founders,” Gus Rosikh asserted firmly.
He also warned that the dominance of political interests within NU risks causing polarisation among Nahdliyin members and eroding public trust in the organisation’s independence.
Gus Rosikh called on all NU elements to jointly safeguard the dignity of the Congress to keep it clean, honest, and oriented towards the welfare of the ummah. He hopes that the future PBNU leadership process will truly reflect integrity, capacity, and scholarship.
Gus Rosikh also reminded that the dominance of political interests within the organisation could distance NU from its path as a diniyah ijtima’iyah association. According to him, this could weaken the trust of Nahdliyin members in the organisation’s leadership.
“PBNU must return to the pesantren, return to scholars who truly live in the tradition of knowledge and service. NU must not become a tool for power interests,” he stressed.
Furthermore, he invited all NU community elements to maintain the integrity of the Congress as a dignified forum. He also encouraged the leadership selection process to be conducted honestly, transparently, and based on scholarly capacity and exemplary conduct, not financial strength.
Thus, Gus Rosikh hopes that NU can remain a main pillar in upholding moderate Islamic values and serve as a cooling element amid the nation’s social and political dynamics.