Gus Salam Reveals Guru Wildan's Message for NU to be Grounded in Pesantren Scholarship

Jakarta, VIVA – KH Abdussalam Shohib, or Gus Salam, visited KH Muhammad Wildan Salman, known as Guru Wildan, the Rais Syuriyah of PWNU South Kalimantan (Kalsel), on Sunday, 26 April 2026.

The visit was to seek blessings, advice, and guidance from NU ulama and pesantren leaders in his efforts to become the General Chairman of PBNU through the 35th Congress.

“It is always my protocol. When entering a region to garner trust from PCNU chairmen, I first pay respects to the local Rais Syuriyah and senior kiai. And I have already paid respects and maintained silaturrohim with Guru Wildan,” said Gus Salam in a written statement on Sunday, 26 April 2026.

Gus Salam stated that he received an important message from Guru Wildan to preserve and run the Nahdlatul Ulama organisation with a foundation in knowledge based on pesantren and strong noble ethics and morals.

This message is grounded in Guru Wildan’s daily teaching of major kitab.

“Guru Wildan also advised that NU be managed with a sense of love and mutual affection. I have taken my leave from him and requested permission to communicate with PCNU throughout South Kalimantan. And, alhamdulillah, he also prayed for me to be granted ease in achieving my aspirations,” said Gus Salam.

On the same occasion, H. Aziz Ja’far, Chairman of the Central Board of IKAPMAM, explained that Gus Salam’s presence with his entourage was also to deliver a kitab study reviewing a good lifestyle according to Islam with touches of tasawuf and akhlak.

Aziz Ja’far said the kitab study was held at Pesantren Raoudlotul Muta’allimin An-Nahdliyyah (RMA) Guntungmanggis, Banjar Baru, South Kalimantan, under the guidance of KH. Muhari, known as Guru Muha. It was attended by hundreds of alumni, community members, santri, and even NU branch officials in Banjar Baru, Kalsel.

“In this routine kitab study, Kiai Abdussalam always inserts messages accompanied by stories to keep santri bound to the pesantren masyayikh. And to ensure that NU members and officials remain bound to the founders and senior NU masyayikh,” said Aziz Ja’far.

H. Aziz Ja’far stated that among the substance of the kitab’s content is that the path taken should be grounded in spiritual understanding in carrying out daily routines, both in worship and in business endeavours. Because both are the needs of religious human life.