Ma'ruf Amin and Gus Kikin visit grave of NU founder

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s 13th Vice President and Mustasyar of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), KH Ma’ruf Amin, together with PBNU chairmanship candidate KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, known as Gus Kikin, visited the grave of NU founder KH Hasyim Asy’ari in Jombang, East Java.

The pilgrimage took place at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School complex in Jombang on Wednesday (26/8), ahead of the 35th NU Congress.

Spokesman for the Qanun Asasi (Qonas) Team, Abi Rekso, said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday that visiting the grave of KH Hasyim Asy’ari is part of a tradition that holds important value for NU members.

He said the atmosphere of the 35th NU Congress reflects a spirit of togetherness among Nahdliyin after the dynamics that marked the run-up to the congress.

“There is a saying in NU: a commotion ends in celebration. So, if we look at Jombang, Nahdliyin have turned out in force, with many bazaars welcomed joyfully by all Nahdliyin across Indonesia,” he said.

The meeting between Ma’ruf Amin and Gus Kikin attracted attention because it took place shortly before the election of the PBNU chairman at the 35th NU Congress.

Abi said the meeting should not automatically be interpreted as a show of support for any particular candidate.

“Not every meeting should be read as an endorsement. However, it is natural for Kiai Ma’ruf Amin to give his blessing to one of the strong candidates, namely Gus Kikin,” he said.

Gus Kikin is one of the candidates for PBNU chairman at the 35th NU Congress and is backed by the East Java Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU).

Abi said Gus Kikin did not run a personal campaign by putting up banners bearing his image during the congress, and instead focused on promoting ideas about the Qanun Asasi as one of the guiding principles for NU going forward.

“I saw the warmth between them (Kiai Ma’ruf and Gus Kikin) at the graves of Mbah Hasyim and Gus Dur. Hopefully that brings blessings for the future of PBNU,” he said.

The Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School complex is the burial site of a number of NU figures, including KH Hasyim Asy’ari and Indonesia’s fourth president, KH Abdurrahman Wahid, known as Gus Dur.

The 35th NU Congress is taking place in Jombang from 27 to 31 August 2026, with one of its agenda items being the selection of the next PBNU leadership.