PBNU Selects Logo for 35th NU Congress Designed by Langitan Alumnus

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) has designated the logo of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress as the official identity of the organisation’s highest deliberative forum, a work created by M Shofa Ulum Azmi, an alumnus of the Langitan Islamic boarding school in Tuban, East Java.

The designation of the logo marks a notable milestone, extending the record of contribution of the Langitan pesantren, established in 1852, in producing scholars and cadres who have consistently served the organisation since before NU’s founding and into its second century.

M Shofa Ulum Azmi, the designer of the 35th NU Congress logo, said in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday that the visual design idea began as a simple sketch that later developed into a symbol of harmonious leadership within NU.

“This logo began as a rough sketch that then formed two circles as its main construction. I interpret these two circles as a symbol of the Syuriah and Tanfidziyah working in harmony to carry out the service of Nahdlatul Ulama,” he said.

Shofa added that the design, which represents a mutually strengthening relationship akin to that of a father and son, was completed overnight before being refined through several finishing stages.

This tradition of service has been passed down through generations of pesantren caretakers, from KH Muhammad Khozin in NU’s early years, to KH Abdul Hadi Zahid, and KH Abdullah Faqih, who once served as Mustasyar of PBNU.

Today, this relay of service is continued by KH Ma’shum Faqih, who holds the post of Deputy Secretary-General of PBNU, while also making history as the first kiai from the Langitan pesantren to sit on the PBNU Tanfidziyah.

Deputy Secretary-General of PBNU KH Ma’shum Faqih viewed the selection of this logo as proof that the pesantren, located in Widang subdistrict, continues to produce tangible contributions to the organisation across various fields, including through the creative works of its alumni.

According to the man familiarly known as Gus Ma’shum, service to NU is not always manifested through organisational positions; it can also be expressed through ideas, innovation, and creativity that bring broad benefit to all members of the nahdliyin community.

“Service to NU is not always manifested through positions. Works, ideas, innovation, and creativity that bring benefit to the organisation are also part of devotion. May that spirit continue to live on and inspire the young nahdliyin generation,” he said.