NU 2026 National Conference: Gus Ma'shum Urges Etiquette to be a Pillar of Organisational Strength

The Deputy Secretary General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), KH Ma’shum Faqih, has proposed that organisational etiquette, or ‘adab’, be included as one of the strategic recommendations for the National Consultative Meeting of Ulama and the Grand Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama (Munas-Konbes NU). The event is scheduled to take place at the Al Falah Islamic Boarding School in Ploso, Kediri, East Java, on 20-21 June 2026.

According to Gus Ma’shum, his affectionate nickname, strengthening the organisation cannot be achieved solely through systemic improvements, work programmes, or institutional governance. Amidst increasingly complex organisational dynamics, NU must also reinforce the tradition of etiquette, which has long been a primary characteristic of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and the foundation of the organisation’s life.

“NU was built by the scholars of the pesantren. Therefore, organisational governance must go hand in hand with organisational etiquette. A good system must be supported by good manners,” stated Gus Ma’shum in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday (8/6/2026).

As a member of the Steering Committee for the Munas-Konbes NU Recommendation Commission, he believes that the values of etiquette must be continuously nurtured to serve as a guide for organisational life. The traditions of deliberation (musyawarah), respect for scholars, mutual appreciation of differing opinions, and the awareness of fulfilling one’s respective roles within the organisation are vital heritages that must be preserved.

Gus Ma’shum emphasised that etiquette holds a very important position in Islamic teachings. He cited the views of the founder of NU, KH Hasyim Asy’ari, who taught that monotheism (tauhid) gives rise to faith (iman), faith gives rise to law (syariat), and law gives rise to etiquette (adab).

“Hadratussyekh taught that etiquette is the pinnacle of the structure of tauhid, iman, and syariat. That value has long been the strength of the pesantren and must continue to be present in organisational life,” he asserted.