Persis's Hopes for NU: KH Miftachul Akhyar and Gus Kikin
KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz (Gus Kikin) and KH Miftalam Akhyar have been officially elected to lead the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) for the 2026-2031 period, following the results of the 35th NU Muktamar.
The Chairman of the Central Leadership of Persatuan Islam (PP Persis), KH Jeje Zaenudin, stated that on behalf of the PP Persis Chairman, they welcome and rejoice in the election of KH Miftachul Akhyar as Rais Aam Syuriah and KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz as Chairman of PBNU at the 35th NU Muktamar. He expressed hope that they will be continuously protected and blessed by Allah SWT in navigating NU over the next five years.
“We hope and believe that under the leadership of KH Miftachul Akhyar and KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, NU can continue to remain united, solid, and strong, and that NU’s contribution to building the glory of the Ummah, the nation, and a progressive, sovereign, just, and prosperous Indonesia will grow even larger under the grace of Allah SWT,” Kiai Jeje told Republika on Monday (31/8/2026).
Kiai Jeje added that as fellow leaders of Islamic organisations established before Indonesia’s independence, Persis also hopes that under the new PBNU leadership, the ties of kinship and cooperation between Islamic organisations—already established under the umbrella of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and other collaborative forums—will become even closer, providing greater benefits for religion, nation, and country.
Previously, the 35th Muktamar of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) appointed KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, or Gus Kikin, as the Chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) for the 2026-2031 period. Gus Kikin was elected through the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) mechanism during a plenary session at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java.
Gus Kikin was selected after the AHWA conducted deliberations among five candidates proposed by the Muktamirin. Gus Kikin also received written approval from the Rais Aam of PBNU, KH Miftachul Akhyar. The decision regarding his election was announced directly by AHWA member KH Anwar Iskandar.
“The members of AHWA have unanimously decided to elect KH Abdul Hakim, commonly known as Gus Kikin, as the Chairman of PBNU for the 2026-2031 term,” said Kiai Anwar, reading the decision of the nine AHWA scholars in the plenary session room of the Multipurpose Building (GSG) at the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School, Jombang, on Monday morning (31/8/2026).