PKB Holds Ulama Ijtima, Affirms Clerics as Party's Primary Moral Compass

The Central Executive Board of the National Awakening Party (PKB) held an Ijtima Ulama Indonesia to commemorate its 28th anniversary on Thursday (23/7), affirming that ulama and kiai hold a central role as a moral compass guiding the party’s direction. “PKB views the ulama as a compass that provides direction for the party’s steps. It is only fitting that they remain a source of reference for PKB officials and cadres in championing the dialectics of power for the benefit of the people,” said Deputy Chair of the PKB Central Executive Board, Cucun A Syamsurizal, in Jakarta on Thursday (23/7/2026). He explained that as a party born directly from the womb of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), it is only natural that the ulama always serve as the primary reference for officials and cadres in fighting for the welfare of the people. According to him, the Ijtima Ulama Indonesia is one of PKB’s efforts to listen to input and views from kiai, whether experts in fiqh, tauhid, or tasawuf, regarding various national dynamics. “Currently, dynamics are occurring very rapidly, from information technology and the use of artificial intelligence to changes in the national and global economic-political landscape, all of which require responses from the ulama,” he said. Cucun noted that this major meeting was attended by influential kiai and pesantren leaders from across the country. Several senior figures present included Prof. Dr. KH. Said Aqil Siroj (Jakarta), KH. Kafabihi Mahrus (Lirboyo Pesantren, Kediri), KH. Marzuki Mustamar (Malang), KH. Abdurrahman Kautsar (Ploso), KH. Imam Jazuli (Cirebon), KH. Imam Syafaat (Banyuwangi), and TGH. Lalu Habiburrahman (Lombok). “The presence of these pesantren leaders underscores their position as a moral reference for society in addressing daily issues,” he said. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives added that the presence of the ulama in this Ijtima forum is increasingly urgent and relevant. He noted that the public is currently faced with sharp scrutiny of pesantren institutions, ranging from alleged cases of sexual violence and bullying to the rise of unregistered ‘bodong’ pesantren. “This series of problems is feared to trigger a decline in public trust in pesantren, which have long been known as the heart of Aswaja Islamic existence in the archipelago,” he concluded.