NU's 35th Congress Postponed by Three Weeks
The implementation of the 35th Muktamar of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is confirmed to be postponed by several weeks. This was agreed upon during a joint meeting between the Syuriyah and Tanfidziyah of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) on Tuesday, 7 July 2026.
The meeting decided that the timing for the Muktamar, which was previously set for 1–5 August 2026, will shift. The agenda for the organisation’s highest forum is now approved to be held from 27–30 August.
Ahmad Tajul Mafakhir, Secretary of the PBNU Syuriyah, explained that the adjustment to this year’s Muktamar schedule was based on technical considerations and the feasibility of the event. One reason, he stated, was to ensure the optimisation of accommodation standards and infrastructure at the Muktamar location.
“This postponement is crucial to ensure that the operational standards of the lodgings run at their maximum,” Tajul said when contacted on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
He detailed aspects that require attention, such as providing adequate facilities, preparing cleanliness procedures, and maintaining the completeness of utilities in every building or dormitory. He noted that this five-yearly forum demands accurate preparation.
This is because the 35th NU Muktamar will be attended by thousands of participants and guests of honour from across Indonesia. “The organising committee requires a longer duration to conduct technical consolidation and synergy with regional and branch boards, as well as the supporting pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) around the location,” he said.
Tajul assessed that the timing adjustment was made as a form of prudence by the PBNU in hosting the 35th Muktamar. The goal, he said, is to ensure that the preparations and execution of the event are not rushed.
“This decision was taken solely to ensure that all ideal prerequisites for the deliberations are well-met for the smoothness and comfort of all participants,” he stated.
In addition to setting the implementation date, the PBNU has decided that Pesantren Tambakberas in Jombang, East Java, will serve as the host for this year’s Muktamar. Tajul stated that historical, strategic, and technical readiness considerations determined the selection of this location.
“Historically, Tambakberas is one of the epicentres of NU history,” he said.
He explained that Pesantren Tambakberas is closely linked to the figure of Kiai Haji Abdul Wahab Chasbullah, one of the founders and primary movers of the NU organisation. “Holding the Muktamar at this location is an expression of seeking blessings (tabarrukan) as well as retracing the struggles of the founders,” he added.
Tajul noted that Pesantren Tambakberas’s experience in hosting the PBNU’s highest forum back in 2015 was also a consideration. In his view, that experience provides sufficient managerial capital and guidance for the current local committee.
“The presence of several supporting pesantren around Jombang greatly supports the smooth running of the event,” said the Deputy Secretary of the SC Munas-Konbes and Muktamar.
Tajul believed that this technical readiness could assist the committee in hosting the 35th NU Muktamar this coming August, ranging from managing mass concentrations and commission session locations to providing other supporting facilities.