NU's 35th Congress Set for Tambak Beras, Gus Ipul Urges Joyful Participation

Organising Committee Chairman for the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress, Saifullah Yusuf, has invited all regional (PWNU) and branch (PCNU) administrators across Indonesia to jointly ensure the success of the congress, to be held at Pondok Pesantren Tambak Beras in Jombang, East Java, from 27 to 31 August 2026. According to the man familiarly known as Gus Ipul, the selection of Tambak Beras as the host was the result of an agreement reached after several limited meetings and discussions at the level of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU). “Through several limited meetings, the joint meeting of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board finally designated Pondok Pesantren Tambak Beras Jombang, founded by Kiai Wahab Hasbullah, as the host of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress to be held on 27 August 2026,” Gus Ipul said after the joint meeting at the PBNU Office in Jakarta on Tuesday evening. He stated that the decision should be welcomed with gratitude as it was born through a consultative process involving various viewpoints. Therefore, all elements of NU are expected to greet the congress with a spirit of togetherness and joy. “We invite all regional and branch administrators as congress participants to prepare and make this congress a success with togetherness and joy, so that it produces the best decisions for the organisation in the future,” he said. Gus Ipul also expressed appreciation to all participants of the joint meeting who provided input in an orderly manner until an agreement on the location and timing of the congress was finally reached. Following the decision, he said, the organising committee will immediately consolidate with PWNU East Java, PCNU Jombang, and several pesantren around Tambak Beras to finalise all preparations. According to Gus Ipul, the committee’s main focus is ensuring the readiness of accommodation, facilities and infrastructure, commission meeting rooms, and transportation for congress participants. “We from the Organising Committee will quickly consolidate with PWNU East Java, PCNU Jombang and the pesantren around Tambak Beras to provide support and facilitation for the holding of the 35th congress,” he said. He is optimistic that Jombang is capable of being a good host, given its experience in organising the NU Congress in 2015. “This is one asset we can use as a guide to prepare everything needed for the implementation of this congress,” he said. Regarding the schedule change from the original 1-5 August to 27-31 August 2026, Gus Ipul explained that the decision was taken after considering various technical aspects so that all organisational requirements could be met optimally. “There are technical factors considered so that the implementation truly meets all existing requirements. So we ask regional and branch administrators to understand the decision taken today, as it is for the common good,” he said.