Cirebon Regency PCNU Proposes Cirebon Raya as Host of the 2026 Muktamar

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The PCNU of Cirebon Regency has proposed to the committee that the Cirebon Raya region in West Java could host the 35th NU Muktamar in 2026. The PCNU of Cirebon Regency conveyed the proposal by sending a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the 35th NU Muktamar Committee, Saifullah Yusuf.

“This is the aspiration of Nahdliyin, of all pesantren, and from various circles, both within Cirebon and beyond,” said Aziz Hakim Syaerozi, head of Tanfidziyah of PCNU Cirebon, in Jakarta on Thursday.

According to him, Cirebon has many supporting factors deemed suitable to host NU’s grand event, ranging from historical value, the strength of pesantren, to infrastructure readiness.

He explained that Cirebon has strong historical value as one of the pioneering areas in the development of NU in West Java. Moreover, he said, there are NU figures originating from Cirebon such as Abbas Abdul Jamil and Abdullah Abbas.

Some of the major pesantrens include Buntet Pesantren, Pesantren Babakan, Pesantren Benda, and Pesantren Gedongan.

“Cirebon not only has strong NU historical value, but also a very large pesantren base and Nahdliyin that are deeply rooted,” he said.

As for infrastructure readiness, he viewed that the Cirebon Raya area has more than 30 hotels rated three to five stars, and at least eight large hotels with total capacity of more than 1,900 rooms, and a balai riung capable of hosting around 6,000 people.

Moreover, he believed accessibility factors could be a key consideration for the committee to designate Cirebon Raya as the host.

“The location of Cirebon, being close to the capital and other major cities, makes this area very ideal for hosting the 35th NU Muktamar,” he said.

Therefore, he hopes the application letter will be given serious consideration by the central committee in deciding the NU muktamar’s location in August.

In a previous statement, the Secretary General of PBNU Saifullah Yusuf alias Gus Ipul said PBNU would hold the 35th NU Muktamar on 1-5 August 2026.

He said the main agenda at the 35th NU Muktamar is the election of the PBNU Chairman.

However, PBNU has not yet decided the location of the muktamar.