PBNU Invites President Prabowo to Close NU Conference in Bangkalan
The Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) has officially invited Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to close the Musyawarah Nasional (Munas) Alim Ulama and Konferensi Besar (Konbes) Nahdlatul Ulama 2026 in Bangkalan, East Java.
PBNU Secretary General and Chairman of the Munas-Konbes and Muktamar Organising Committee, Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, stated that the invitation to President Prabowo is still in the coordination stage and awaiting confirmation.
"This is still in coordination and confirmation. Hopefully, the timing will allow it. But PBNU, through a meeting, has decided to invite the President on 23 June in Bangkalan Regency [Madura Island]," Gus Ipul said on Friday (19/6).
The series of NU 2026 Munas and Konbes events is scheduled to open on Saturday, 20 June 2026, at the Al Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, East Java. However, the closing ceremony is planned for three days later at the Syaichona Moh Cholil Islamic Boarding School in Bangkalan on Tuesday (23/6). Gus Ipul expressed hope that President Prabowo could attend the closing.
"Meanwhile, the closing is planned, hopefully, in Bangkalan. PBNU has officially invited President Prabowo to deliver a mandate at the closing," said Gus Ipul, who also serves as Minister of Social Affairs.
According to Gus Ipul, if President Prabowo is unable to attend the closing ceremony, the concluding event will still be held at the Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri. "If the timing allows him to attend, the closing will be held in Bangkalan. But if not, the closing will be conducted in Ploso. This is all still being adjusted to the President’s schedule," he stated.
For the opening ceremony in Kediri, PBNU will invite local government officials from the provincial to the district/city level, Islamic boarding school caretakers, NU administrators from various regions, community leaders, and representatives of civil society organisations.
"Of course, the opening will invite local government officials, perhaps at the provincial and district/city levels, invite boarding school caretakers, and other parties adjusted to the capacity of the opening venue," Gus Ipul said.
Gus Ipul emphasised that the Munas Alim Ulama and Konbes NU 2026 forum is not just an ordinary organisational meeting. It is the first strategic stage in NU’s consolidation towards the implementation of the Muktamar. "The preparations for the muktamar are ongoing. This Konbes is the first stage towards the muktamar," he stated. The forum is scheduled to discuss various organisational, community, and national agendas as part of Nahdlatul Ulama’s grand roadmap for the future.