Closing of NU's Munas-Konbes in Bangkalan or Kediri Depends on Prabowo
The closing location of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Alim Ulama National Conference (Munas) and Grand Conference (Konbes) 2026 this weekend will depend on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, according to PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul. Gus Ipul stated that if Prabowo is willing to attend, the series of Munas-Konbes NU events, which begin this weekend in Kediri, will be closed in Bangkalan, East Java. Conversely, if Prabowo does not attend, the closing ceremony will be held in Kediri, where the series of activities has been conducted from the start.
The series of Munas and Konbes NU 2026 is scheduled to open on Saturday (20/6) this weekend at the Al Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, East Java. “If the president’s schedule allows him to attend, the closing will be placed in Bangkalan. But if not, the closing will be done in Ploso. This is all still adjusting to the President’s schedule,” said Gus Ipul on Friday (19/6).
Gus Ipul, who is also the chairman of the Munas-Konbes and Muktamar NU organising committee, stated that the invitation to President Prabowo is still in the coordination stage and awaiting confirmation. “This is still in coordination, in confirmation. Hopefully, the timing will allow it. But PBNU, through a meeting, has decided to invite the President on 23 June in Bangkalan Regency [Madura Island],” he said. According to him, if Prabowo attends, the closing will be held three days after the opening at the Syaichona Moh Cholil Islamic College in Bangkalan on Tuesday (23/6).
Gus Ipul admitted that his party hopes Prabowo can attend the closing. “Meanwhile, the closing is planned, hopefully, later in Bangkalan. PBNU has officially invited President Prabowo to give a mandate at the closing later,” said Gus Ipul, who is also known as the Minister of Social Affairs. For the opening ceremony in Kediri, PBNU will invite local government officials from the provincial to district/city levels, boarding school caregivers, NU administrators from various regions, community leaders, and representatives of civil society organisations. “Of course, the opening will invite local government officials, perhaps at the provincial and district/city levels, invite boarding school caregivers, and other parties adjusted to the capacity of the opening venue,” said Gus Ipul.
Gus Ipul emphasised that the Munas Alim Ulama and Konbes NU 2026 forum is not just an ordinary organisational meeting. It is the first and strategic stage in NU’s consolidation towards the implementation of the Muktamar. “The preparation for this Muktamar is ongoing. This Konbes is the first stage towards the Muktamar,” he said. The forum is scheduled to discuss various organisational, community, and national agendas as part of Nahdlatul Ulama’s grand roadmap going forward.