Gus Ipul: Preparations for NU Congress Nearly Complete
Secretary General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), Saifullah Yusuf, has stated that preparations for the 35th NU Congress are nearly complete. According to him, more than 90 per cent of prospective congress participants have received their membership decrees (SK) signed by four PBNU leaders.
Gus Ipul, as Saifullah Yusuf is affectionately known, said the NU Congress is expected to be attended by around 3,300 participants. These are regional and branch administrators who have received decrees bearing the signatures of Rais Aam Miftachul Akhyar, Katib Aam Ahmad Said Asrori, General Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, and himself as Secretary General.
“As of now, more than 90 per cent have already been signed by the four parties, so there is no problem,” he said at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Jakarta on Friday, 24 July 2026.
The Social Affairs Minister dismissed reports that many congress participants had yet to receive their decrees. According to him, the entire administrative process is running smoothly. If any decrees have not yet been issued, the cause is incomplete supporting documents from regional or branch administrators.
“If there are any that have not been signed, it is likely their documents are incomplete,” he said. Gus Ipul added that the organising committee will assist regional and branch administrators whose documents remain incomplete so that all requirements can be met before the congress convenes.
Beyond participant administration, technical preparations for the congress are also said to be nearly finished. “God willing, everything is ready; all are in the process of preparation. After our calculations, the facilities for accommodation and sessions are sufficient — they just need to be adjusted to demand,” said Gus Ipul.
The Congress is Nahdlatul Ulama’s highest deliberative forum, held every five years. At the congress, administrators and representatives of nahdliyin from the branch level to the centre gather to evaluate the performance of the leadership, formulate the organisation’s direction and programmes, and elect new leadership, including the Rais Aam and General Chairman of PBNU.
After months of wrangling over the venue and schedule, the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board has finally confirmed that the 35th Congress will be held on 27-30 August 2026 at the Tambakberas Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java.