PCINU US-Canada Hopes New PBNU Chairman Continues NU Internationalisation

A’wan Syuriah of the PCINU United States-Canada, M Izzul Haq Dimyati, has expressed hope that the newly elected Chairman of the PBNU, KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, known as Gus Kikin, will continue strengthening the role of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at the international level.

According to Gus Izzul, as he is familiarly known, the internationalisation of NU carried out during the leadership of KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, or Gus Yahya, has delivered important achievements, particularly through various international forums and diplomacy.

“I appreciate Gus Yahya’s steps in carrying out the internationalisation of NU, which has been extraordinary, starting from the R20 and so on,” said Izzul when met by Republika.co.id at the 35th NU Congress arena at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, on Monday (31/8/2026).

However, Gus Izzul believes that the internationalisation of NU going forward needs to involve more of the aspirations of NU members at the grassroots level.

According to him, strengthening NU’s global role is not enough through elite diplomacy alone, but must also involve NU networks located in various countries.

“Going forward, we hope that whoever the chairman is will continue the internationalisation well, while still paying attention to the aspirations and inspiration from the grassroots,” he said.

He cited the issue of Palestine as one of the matters that has been a concern for NU members. According to him, there are aspirations among the grassroots regarding how NU positions itself on various global issues.

Gus Izzul believes that the achievements of NU internationalisation during the Gus Yahya era remain important. Although there are several matters that still need evaluation, he said these steps have the potential to become an important legacy for Gus Yahya.

“In due course, what Gus Yahya has done will become an extraordinary legacy for him, including his achievements,” he said.

Furthermore, Gus Izzul also hopes that Gus Kikin’s leadership can strengthen or downstream the NU internationalisation agenda.

One way is by strengthening the role of the Special Branch Management of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCINU) spread across various countries.

“What needs to be improved from Gus Yahya’s diplomacy is involving the PCINU at the grassroots level,” he said.