Ministers, Agency Heads and Clerics Attend NU Congress

Ministers from the Red and White Cabinet and leaders of state institutions attended the opening of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambak Beras, Jombang, on Thursday (27/8).

Among those present were Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian.

Also in attendance were Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi, Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia.

The line-up of state officials was further completed with the arrival of several agency heads and security leaders. National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo attended to monitor and follow the opening proceedings.

He was seated in the same row as Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman.

Parliamentary leaders, namely Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani and Deputy Speaker Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, were also seen attending the event.

Also present were Head of the National Nutrition Agency Sudaryono, Chair of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority Friderica Widyasari Dewi, and Bank Indonesia Governor Destry Damayanti.

Important cross-sector figures also attended. Among them were the wife of Indonesia’s fourth president KH Abdurrahman Wahid and Mustasyar of the NU Executive Board Nyai Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, General Elections Commission Chairman Mochammad Afifuddin, General Chairman of Muhammadiyah Central Board Haedar Nashir, and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.

From the NU leadership, Rais Aam KH Miftachul Akhyar, General Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf and other board members were present.

Also attending were Indonesian Ulema Council Chairman KH Anwar Iskandar, Deputy Rais Aam KH Afifuddin Muhajir, Deputy General Chairman KH Zulfikar Mustofa, Mustasyar KH Said Aqil Siroj, and members of the Syuriyah and Tanfidziyah councils.

Other figures said to be present included Katib Aam KH Ahmad Said Asrori, Katib Syuriyah KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin, Rais Professor Mohammad Nuh, Treasurer Gus Gufron Arif, and Chairman KH Amin Said Husni.

From East Java NU, General Chairman of the East Java Regional Board and caretaker of Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz attended.

The 35th NU Congress was also attended by caretakers of Islamic boarding schools from various regions, including KH Nurul Huda Jazuli of Al-Falah Ploso Kediri, KH Kafabihi Mahrus of Lirboyo Kediri, and KH Hasib Wahab Chasbullah of Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Jombang.

Also present were KH Yusuf Chudlori of API Tegalrejo Magelang, KH Abdul Salam Syahid of Mambaul Ma’arif Denanyar Jombang, and Gus Miftah Maulana of Ora Aji Sleman.

Elder of Tambakberas Jombang, Ibu Nyai Mahfudhoh, also attended the event.

The opening agenda began with the singing of Indonesia Raya and the NU anthem Syubbanul Wathon. The event continued with the recitation of Quranic verses and shalawat, remarks from the East Java Governor, remarks from the host, a report from the Congress Organising Committee Chairman, and the handover of congress materials from the committee chairman to the NU General Chairman.

The opening ceremony culminated with remarks from the NU General Chairman, the iftitah sermon by the Rais Aam, and an address by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, which officially opened the 35th NU Congress.

The congress immediately continued with deliberation sessions on Thursday evening. Plenary Session I was scheduled to discuss and ratify the schedule and rules of procedure. Plenary Session II focused on the accountability report of the NU Executive Board, hearing general views on the report, and delivering responses to those views.

In the evening, congress participants were divided into six commissions: Commission A on contemporary religious issues, Commission B on thematic religious issues, Commission C on legal religious issues, Commission D on organisation, Commission E on programmes, and Commission F on recommendations.

Deliberations continued on Saturday (29/8). After participants completed commission sessions, the congress held Plenary Session III to discuss and ratify the results of the commission sessions. Plenary Session IV was then scheduled to discuss the ratification of the rules for electing the Rais Aam and General Chairman, along with the tabulation of proposed members of the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi.

The most decisive phase of the congress was scheduled to take place through Plenary Session V on Saturday evening. This crucial session included strategic agenda items, from the demission of the 2021-2026 NU Executive Board to the election of new leadership.

The peak agenda included the election and appointment of Ahwa members, followed by a closed session of Ahwa members and the ratification of the Rais Aam for the 2026-2031 term. That evening also saw the election of the General Chairman for the 2026-2031 term and the appointment of the formateur team.

The entire 35th NU Congress concluded on Sunday (30/8) with a closing ceremony scheduled from 08.30 to 10.15 WIB in the Plenary Hall of the GSG grounds.

The closing ceremony included the reading of the committee report, the handover of congress results, remarks from the host, and inaugural speeches by the newly elected General Chairman and Rais Aam for the 2026-2031 term, which officially closed the congress.