Pasuruan Kiai Hopes Harmony Becomes Focus of NU Congress

Surabaya (ANTARA) - The head of Pesantren Salafiyah in Pasuruan, East Java, KH Idris Hamid, hopes that harmony will become the focus of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leaders in the 35th Muktamar planned for July–August 2026. “Harmony should not be just formal, but also from within (the heart),” said the Secretary of the East Java NU Regional Board (PWNU Jatim), Dr HM Faqih, quoting KH Idris Hamid’s statement on Tuesday. He emphasised that NU forums prior to the Muktamar are strategic for formulating organisational election mechanisms that do not cause disputes and can be accepted by all parties. According to him, PWNU Jatim has formed a programme team as part of preparations for the 35th NU Muktamar. The same sentiment was expressed by Sudarsono Rahman, Deputy General Chairman of the Central Board of Barikade Gus Dur, who welcomes the planned Muktamar as a sign of awareness of the importance of ending conflicts. “As NU members at the grassroots level, we are grateful that the Muktamar will soon be held. This indicates an awareness that prolonged conflicts are not beneficial to the jam’iyah, the congregation, or the nation,” he said. Meanwhile, KH Abdul Matin Djawahir, Deputy Chairman of the Syuriyah of PWNU Jatim, invited board members to strengthen brotherhood through Silaturahim Syawalan by visiting the masyayikh or kiai. The series of activities includes visits to several pesantren and figures, ending with the Telassan Ketoppak (Lebaran Ketupat) tradition and a routine meeting at the PWNU Jatim office on 31 March.