Gus Yahya: PBNU Congress to Be Held at End of August

General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, known as Gus Yahya, has confirmed that the 35th NU Congress is ready to be held. The organisation’s highest deliberative forum is scheduled to take place at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, from 27 to 31 August 2026. Gus Yahya stressed that all technical aspects and the substance of discussion documents have been thoroughly prepared by the organising committee. ‘God willing, preparations have been carried out well,’ Gus Yahya said during a press conference at the PBNU Building on Jalan Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (14/7). Gus Yahya explained that the choice of the Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School as the venue for this year’s event holds deep philosophical and spiritual significance for Nahdliyin members. The legendary pesantren was founded by national hero and NU spiritual teacher, KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah. Gus Yahya expressed hope that the historic aura of the congress location would bring a sense of calm, allowing the entire series of proceedings to run smoothly with minimal friction. ‘God willing, with the blessings of this Tambakberas pesantren, we can hope for a smooth, harmonious congress and expect results that truly bring benefit and blessings, particularly for the Nahdlatul Ulama community, the nation, and all of humanity,’ he said. The 35th Congress is planned to be a new historical milestone. PBNU will propose a strategic direction draft in the form of a 25-year roadmap for NU. Other major agendas include the formulation of clerical values as part of a pesantren transformation programme, strengthening the cadre system, and initiatives for community economic development. Gus Yahya also highlighted a fundamental leap achieved by the current PBNU board: the successful implementation of a digital management system reaching down to the sub-district level (Majelis Wakil Cabang/MWC). ‘If developed with the right strategy and connected within a digital system, the outreach to members will be more effective. This digital system can consolidate NU well, which will also aid the consolidation of the nation as a whole, considering NU members are spread across the country,’ he asserted. Furthermore, Gus Yahya reminded all parties not to bring external political rumours into the congress arena. He guaranteed that NU remains firmly standing on its principle of independence and dismissed negative issues regarding alleged intervention from the Presidential Palace. Gus Yahya expressed confidence that President Prabowo holds high respect for NU’s independence and urged congress participants not to believe individuals who invoke the president’s name for personal power ambitions. ‘I do not see any interest from the president or the palace to influence or interfere with NU. There is no benefit for the government or the president. And if anyone claims to have been blessed or even ordered by the president, it is certainly a lie. I am sure the president greatly respects NU,’ Gus Yahya concluded.