Eight Figures Enter PBNU Chairmanship Race Ahead of Jombang Congress: Here Are Their Profiles
JAKARTA — Ahead of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress, to be held at the Tambakberas Islamic boarding school in Jombang on 27-31 August 2026, the race for Chairman of the PBNU Executive Board for the 2026-2031 term is heating up. A number of figures have declared their readiness to stand, whilst other names continue to emerge with backing from kiai, regional boards and Nahdliyin activists.
A survey by the Institute of Nahdliyin Nusantara (Insantara), conducted from 20-28 July 2026, recorded at least eight names most widely discussed as candidates for PBNU Chairman. They are KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya), KH Zulfa Mustofa, KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz (Gus Kikin), Prof KH Nasaruddin Umar, KH Imam Jazuli, KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin (Gus Rozin), KH Muhammad Yusuf Chudlori (Gus Yusuf), and KH Abdussalam Shohib (Gus Salam).
Below are brief profiles of the figures who have emerged ahead of the 35th Congress:
- KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya)
Incumbent PBNU Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf has declared he will run again in the election for PBNU Chairman for the 2026-2031 term. According to him, seeking re-election is intended to complete the various programmes undertaken during his leadership.
Born in Rembang, Central Java, on 16 February 1966, Gus Yahya is the son of KH Cholil Bisri and nephew of the cultural figure and scholar KH Ahmad Mustofa Bisri (Gus Mus).
He pursued his Islamic boarding school education at Pesantren Raudlatut Thalibin in Leteh, Rembang, founded by his grandfather, KH Bisri Mustofa. He then deepened his knowledge at Pesantren Krapyak in Yogyakarta under the guidance of KH Ali Ma’shum. In addition to his pesantren education, he also studied at Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
His national career began when he was entrusted as spokesman to President KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) from 1999 to 2001. Within NU, he served as Katib Aam of PBNU for 2015-2021 before being elected PBNU Chairman at the 34th Congress.
Gus Yahya also served as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) and was included in “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” list for his work in promoting peace and international dialogue.
- KH Zulfa Mustofa
KH Zulfa Mustofa is among the figures who have openly declared their readiness to contest the PBNU chairmanship for 2026-2031. The scholar, born in Jakarta on 7 August 1977, comes from a family with a strong tradition of Islamic scholarship.
His father, KH Muqarrabin, was a scholar from Pekalongan, Central Java, whilst his mother, Nyai Hj Marhumah Latifah, hailed from Kresek, Banten. On his mother’s side, Kiai Zulfa is related to the 13th Vice President of Indonesia, KH Ma’ruf Amin. He is the grandson of Nyai Hj Maimunah, the mother of KH Ma’ruf Amin, and thus also traces his lineage to the great Nusantara scholar Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani.
He completed his basic education in Jakarta before continuing his schooling in Pekalongan. He then studied at MTs Salafiyah Simbangkulon and continued his education at a madrasah in the Kajen area of Margoyoso, Pati, known as one of the centres of pesantren education in Central Java.
During his studies in Kajen, Kiai Zulfa studied under the late KH MA Sahal Mahfudh and KH Rifai Nasuha. After completing Madrasah Aliyah in 1996, he planned to continue his education in the Middle East. However, the plan was cancelled after his father passed away on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. From then on, he chose to continue his father’s work in preaching and community development.
At the age of 19, Kiai Zulfa was already guiding around 15 religious study circles. Four years later, he founded Majelis Taklim Darul Musthofa, which remains one of the centres of Islamic preaching and community development. His consistent contributions have made his name widely known among Nahdliyin members.