Facing Backlash for Smiling in Photo with US Ambassador, Gus Ulil Provides Explanation

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), Ulil Abshar Abdalla, has provided clarification regarding the accusations and negative framing circulating on social media about PBNU’s diplomatic steps amid the war involving the United States (US)-Israel and Iran. Gus Ulil emphasised that PBNU is taking a role through “soft” or gentle diplomacy to voice aspirations for peace. This effort was carried out together with PBNU General Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf by visiting three embassies of countries directly or indirectly involved in the conflict, namely the Iranian Embassy, the Saudi Arabian Embassy, and the United States Embassy. According to Gus Ulil, the visits to these three embassies were actually intended to convey PBNU’s aspirations regarding the ongoing conflict. In addition, he said, PBNU wants to obtain direct information from them about the situation and the official version from each country. “The visits to the three embassies of countries involved in the Iran-Israel war were actually intended first to convey PBNU’s aspirations as an institution to these three countries,” said Gus Ulil during the Kramat Corner Discussion “The Role of NU in World Peace” held by Lakpesdam at the PBNU Building, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026). According to him, this step is important so that PBNU does not only rely on information from the mass media but also obtains a more complete and balanced picture from the relevant parties.