NU Congress Urged to Produce Leaders of Integrity

Ahead of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress, to be held from 27–31 August 2026 in Jombang, East Java, the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) is being urged to produce leadership figures characterised by integrity and independence from practical political influence.

NU youth figure, Hatim Gazali, emphasised that the Congress is not merely a contest of personalities, but a crucial moment to determine the direction of the organisation, which oversees approximately 140 million Nahdliyin members across Indonesia. “NU leaders need to maintain the organisation’s independence by not being part of political parties or holding political offices, and must be able to position NU as a civil society force that remains both critical and constructive,” Hatim stated in Jakarta on Sunday (2/8/2026).

Hatim detailed nine primary criteria for the upcoming PBNU General Chairperson candidates: the ability to act as a unifier amidst internal dynamics, having strong roots in the pesantren (Islamic boarding school) world, possessing hierarchical service experience from local branches to the central level, having national and global perspectives, maintaining independence (non-partisan and non-political official), siding with the marginalised (mustad’afin), preserving pesantren traditions while driving organisational modernisation, possessing scholarly capacity (keulamaan), and having a proven track record of service with a vision to strengthen the organisation’s dignity in NU’s second century.

“The assessment of candidates should not be based solely on popularity or political support, but on their track record of service, leadership capacity, integrity, and ability to maintain the dignity and independence of NU,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the East Java Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU) has officially endorsed its chairman, KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, as a candidate for the PBNU General Chairperson. Additionally, the Secretary General of PBNU, Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, emphasised that President Prabowo Subianto will not intervene in the 35th NU Congress. Other names, such as PBNU Vice Chairman KH Zulfa Mustofa, have also been mentioned in the shortlist of potential candidates.