Gus Lilur: NU Congress 2026 a Turning Point to Restore Public Trust

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Young Nahdlatul Ulama figure Khalilur Abdullah Sahlawiy, or Gus Lilur, stated that the 2026 NU Congress must become a turning point to restore public trust, reaffirm the organisation’s values, and ensure that NU does not become a tool for narrow interests. If this momentum is not utilised, NU risks losing the moral base that has long been its strength. “Therefore, before discussing who will lead, NU needs to ensure one thing: that the leadership is clean,” said Gus Lilur in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday. Gus Lilur reminded that the NU Congress should not be merely interpreted as a forum for leadership transition, but must be seen as an arena for determining the organisation’s moral direction. According to him, this is important because the reality faced by the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) is currently experiencing a crisis of trust. He conveyed that the integrity crisis in the current PBNU is very real, especially related to Hajj governance issues, from quotas, catering, accommodation, to service procurement. Regardless of the ongoing legal processes, he opined that these issues have impacted public perception, so the Congress must become a corrective mechanism, not merely a mechanism for reproducing power. From a social science perspective, he continued, NU is not just a religious organisation, but a social network that supports public trust. If that trust is disrupted, what is damaged is not only the organisation, but also the broader social cohesion. “Therefore, the NU Congress must start from efforts to restore trust. And that restoration cannot be done without integrity,” he emphasised. On the other hand, Gus Lilur stated that the figure worthy of leading NU should not be limited by organisational background because anyone can lead, as long as they are committed to NU’s values and meet the main requirement, namely having integrity and never being involved in corrupt practices. He said that this approach aligns with the principle of meritocracy, where leadership legitimacy is determined by quality and integrity, not merely identity. Regarding the organisation of the 35th NU Congress scheduled for August 2026, previously PBNU General Secretary Saifullah Yusuf, alias Gus Ipul, explained that several preparations have been carried out, including the formation of the core congress committee which has been determined by PBNU Rais Aam KH Miftachul Akhyar along with PBNU General Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf. After the core committee was formed, Gus Ipul said that the executives are currently consolidating to complete the committee. “(Preparations towards the congress, ed.) we continue to carry out, and Insya Allah everything can run smoothly, and we ask for support from regional executives as well as branch executives to all focus and prepare themselves to attend the congress,” said Gus Ipul to reporters in Jakarta on Thursday (16/4). Meanwhile, regarding congress participants and the nomination procedure for general chairman, Gus Ipul stated that all are regulated in the PBNU Articles of Association/House Rules (AD/ART) and other regulations. “Who is eligible to be a congress participant is also already stipulated in the AD/ART and other regulations, and what is also important, the team has also been formed to finalise all decrees, all decisions needed in preparation for the Congress,” said PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf.