Prabowo affirms NU's role in safeguarding national stability and future
President Prabowo Subianto has affirmed the role of Nahdlatul Ulama as one of the key forces in safeguarding the nation’s stability and future.
The President made the remarks in his address at the opening of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang Regency, East Java, on Thursday.
“Nahdlatul Ulama has always been present in the events of this nation. In the crises of this nation, Nahdlatul Ulama has always been present, and Nahdlatul Ulama determines the stability, security, peace and future of the Indonesian nation,” the President said.
According to the President, this spirit is in line with the aspirations of NU’s founders for Indonesia to rise and stand equal with other nations.
The Head of State stressed that a nation’s honour cannot be separated from the realisation of justice and prosperity for its people.
“An honourable nation is a just and prosperous nation. No nation is respected if it is not prosperous. And there is no prosperity without justice,” Prabowo said.
President Prabowo also emphasised the importance of close ties between the government and Islamic mass organisations such as NU and Muhammadiyah.
“If this nation wants to rise and be secure, the government, the umara, must always be close to Nahdlatul Ulama. And also Muhammadiyah,” the President said.
“So, as President, as the people’s mandate holder, it is clear that without the support of NU and Muhammadiyah, I could not have become the people’s mandate holder,” Prabowo said.
The President also expressed his commitment to continue empowering and strengthening NU and Muhammadiyah, including the Islamic boarding schools under their auspices.
“I have no hesitation. I keep thinking about how to grow, strengthen and empower Nahdlatul Ulama, the Islamic boarding schools of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo officially opened the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, marked by the beating of a bedug.
At the opening, the President was accompanied on stage by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani, Chair of the 35th NU Congress Committee Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), General Chair of the NU Executive Board H. Yahya Cholil Staquf, Supreme Leader of the NU Executive Board KH. Miftachul Akhyar, and Caretaker of Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School K.H. M. Hasib Wahab Hasbullah.
After the bedug beating ceremony marking the opening of the congress, President Prabowo received a green turban from Rais Syuriyah of the NU Executive Board K.H. Ali Akbar Marbun. The turban was placed around the Head of State’s neck.
The 35th NU Congress is being held at Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, East Java, from 27 to 31 August 2026. The highest deliberative forum of NU serves as a moment for Nahdlatul Ulama to discuss various organisational agendas and strategic national issues.
The congress also serves as a consolidation forum for NU members to formulate the organisation’s direction in facing various challenges related to the ummah, the nation and the changing times.