PCNU Cirebon Bids to Host the 35th NU Congress

Cirebon – The Pengurus Cabang Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU) of Kabupaten Cirebon has formally submitted a letter of application to the Chair of the NU 35th Muktamar Committee, H Syaifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, requesting that the Cirebon Raya region be designated as the venue for the Muktamar. The letter is presented in response to a strong aspiration among Nahdliyin in Cirebon and surrounding areas for the largest Islamic organisation’s muktamar to be held on the land of the ulama and ancient pesantren. The Chair of the Tanfidziyah of PCNU Kabupaten Cirebon, Aziz Hakim Syaerozi, said the bid arose after a regional-based joint deliberation involving PCNU leaders from Cirebon Raya, covering Kabupaten Cirebon, Kota Cirebon, and Kabupaten Indramayu. “We have concluded with a firm decision to submit the Cirebon Raya region as the venue for the 35th NU Muktamar. This is the aspiration of nahdliyin, all pesantren and from various circles, both within Cirebon and beyond the region,” KH Aziz Hakim Syaerozi said in a written statement on Thursday, 21 May 2026. He argued that Cirebon has many supporting factors considered worthy of hosting the grand NU event, from its historical value, the strength of its pesantren, to infrastructural readiness. He explained that Cirebon has a strong historical link with NU’s development. One of NU’s founders and prominent figures originated from the Cirebon area, namely KH M. Abbas Abdul Jamil and KH Abdullah Abbas. Through the efforts of these two ulama, Cirebon became one of the pioneering regions in NU’s development in West Java. Furthermore, he noted that the Cirebon region is known as a centre of ancient pesantren that have produced thousands of santri and ulama who spread across Indonesia. Some of the major pesantren mentioned include Buntet Pesantren, Pesantren Babakan, Pesantren Benda, and Pesantren Gedongan, which are over a century old. “Cirebon not only has a strong NU historical value but also a large pesantren base and deeply rooted nahdliyin,” he said. In terms of facilities readiness, PCNU Kabupaten Cirebon states that the Cirebon Raya area already has more than 30 hotels rated three to five stars. At least eight large hotels reportedly offer a total capacity of more than 1,900 rooms and ballrooms capable of accommodating around 6,000 people.