Gus Salam Visits Minister Nasaruddin, Delivers Message for NU
KH Abdussalam Shohib, or Gus Salam as he is affectionately known, visited the office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) in Central Jakarta. The visit was for a courtesy call to meet the NU figure who has served the organisation for more than 40 years.
“I wanted to pay a courtesy visit to Mr Minister Nasaruddin Umar. He has served NU since his youth in his region, up to now serving as Rais PBNU,” said Gus Salam in his statement on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
“Yes, he is an NU kyai-cleric destined to take on the role of Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. As students, we should pay our respects, study, and discuss with him,” he added.
According to Gus Salam, Minister Nasaruddin possesses extensive and mature organisational experience and service in the field of social-religious affairs. He is also known as a senior figure in the Alumni Association of the Indonesian Muslim Students’ Movement (IKA PMII).
“And he served as Katib Aam PBNU from 2004-2009, assisting Rais Aam, Allah Yarham Dr (HC) KH Muhammad Achmad Sahal Mahfudh,” he said.
Gus Salam stated that Minister Nasaruddin conveyed his concern regarding the condition of PBNU.
“During the courtesy visit and discussion with him earlier, Prof. Nasaruddin, like other NU elders, feels deep concern over the current situation of PBNU. We feel this has never happened throughout NU’s existence,” said Gus Salam.
Gus Salam added that Minister Nasaruddin emphasised the hope for reconciliation; to restore relations among NU’s top officials, executives, and cadres by setting aside differences as well as personal and group egos.
“He asked for sincerity from everyone to weave back togetherness in order to restore the honour, authority, and service struggle of NU in the midst of the ummah,” revealed Gus Salam.
Minister Nasaruddin, he continued, is also monitoring the preparations of PBNU for organising the 35th NU Congress. And he expressed hope that the PBNU leadership transition process through the congress would be carried out in a healthy manner, openly, and prioritising ethics in organisation and democracy.
“So that the widest possible space is opened for NU cadres who have capacity and capability to gain the trust of Nahdliyyin, to be elected as the next PBNU leadership by congress participants. Prof. Nasaruddin also hopes that at the congress, NU leaders who are honest, trustworthy, flexible, and of integrity can be elected,” he said.