NU Congress: Gus Yahya Explains AHWA Nomination Mechanism
KETUA Umum Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) K.H. Yahya Cholil Staquf, or Gus Yahya, has explained in detail the mechanism for proposing Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) candidates to participants of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java, on Wednesday (26/8).
Gus Yahya stated that the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU), Branch Board (PCNU), and Special Branch Board (PCINU) have the opportunity to prepare AHWA candidate nomination letters directly at the registration area before completing the official registration process.
“This registration area is already sterile. PWNU, PCNU, and PCINU can prepare AHWA candidate nomination letters here, but they must still be signed by the Rais and Katib and stamped,” said Gus Yahya at the registration site.
He emphasised that nomination letters that have met the administrative requirements must be submitted to the committee in a sealed envelope. The letter must then be immediately placed into the ballot box provided in the registration area.
During a direct inspection of the registration process at the K.H. Jamaluddin Ahmad Center Hall, Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Gus Yahya witnessed Rais Syuriyah PCNU Jombang K.H. Achmad Hasan become the first participant to submit an envelope containing an AHWA candidate nomination.
In addition to monitoring the technical aspects of the AHWA election, Gus Yahya, accompanied by PBNU Deputy Chairman Amin Said Husni, also completed participant registration and inspected several key locations for the congress. He gave special instructions to the local committee and guest liaison team led by K.H. Abdurrozaq Sholeh (Gus Rozaq).
“All of you represent not only PBNU, but the entire Nahdlatul Ulama organisation, and at the same time you represent Kiai Abdul Wahab Chasbullah as the host of this Congress. Therefore, this service is truly a service of extraordinary value,” he told the committee.
Gus Yahya also reminded all parties to maintain the organisation’s dignity by emulating the values of NU’s founders and the scholars of Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School. Quoting the teachings of Hadratussyekh K.H. Hasyim Asy’ari, he stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the organisation.
“Because this is jam’iyatu adlin wa aman wa ishlahin wa ihsan. This is an organisation that brings improvement. Therefore, there must not be even the slightest action that could potentially cause damage,” he asserted.
The registration process for participants of the 35th NU Congress was centred at MTs Bahrul Ulum from 10.00 WIB. The congress is scheduled to take place on 27–31 August 2026, with the opening ceremony on Thursday (27/8) at 15.00 WIB at Untung Suropati Field, which is planned to be attended by President Prabowo Subianto.