Gus Yahya Hopes Prabowo Will Open 2031 NU Congress

General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) KH Yahya Cholil Staquf has expressed hope that the opening of the 2031 Congress will again be attended by Prabowo Subianto. President Prabowo attended the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java, today (27/8).

“We are delighted and grateful for the President’s presence. In five years we will hold another congress, the 36th Congress, in 2031. In my heart, I hope the next congress will be opened by Mr Prabowo again,” said Gus Yahya before congress participants.

In his speech, Gus Yahya also recalled the thinking of KH Hasyim Asy’ari in the Muqaddimah Qanun Asasi regarding the importance of mutual assistance as the foundation of social life.

“Hasyim Asy’ari in the Muqaddimah Qanun Asasi said that mutual assistance is the foundation upon which the social order revolves,” said Gus Yahya.

According to him, a society built on the spirit of mutual assistance will not become trapped in questions of who holds power and who does not. On the contrary, society will place greater emphasis on cooperation.

“In this way, people think about cooperation, not about who holds the most power. The 35th NU Congress is a momentum to strengthen that spirit. Therefore, it is very fitting that this congress is a moment for mutual assistance among one another,” he said.

He stressed that congress participants will determine the direction of NU’s leadership. However, that direction must continue to run in line with the interests of the nation and state.

“Congress participants will determine NU’s direction; it cannot but be aligned with the nation and state. It cannot and must not be separated,” Gus Yahya asserted.