Prabowo asks Gus Yahya for NU membership card at congress
President Prabowo Subianto asked Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, known as Gus Yahya, for his NU membership card during the opening of the 35th NU Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang Regency, East Java, on Thursday. Prabowo said he had long requested the card from Gus Yahya and joked that he would return for the congress closing on 31 August if the card had been issued by then. “Only Gus Yahya — I have been asking for an NU card for ages. So he still owes me. If possible, before the congress closes. The closing is on the 31st, right? If there is a membership card, I will come again on the 31st,” Prabowo said with a smile.
Prabowo described NU as a tremendous national asset, alongside Muhammadiyah, and said NU had always been present during the nation’s events and crises. “NU is always present in the events of this nation. In the crises of this nation, Nahdlatul Ulama is always present,” he said. He added that NU plays an important role in maintaining stability, security, peace and Indonesia’s future.
The President said the government, or umara, must remain close to NU and Muhammadiyah if Indonesia is to rise and live safely. “If this nation wants to rise and be safe, the government, the umara, must always be close to Nahdlatul Ulama and also Muhammadiyah,” he said. Prabowo also acknowledged the significant support he received from NU and Muhammadiyah as President of Indonesia. “So if I as President, as the people’s mandate holder, clearly without the support of NU and Muhammadiyah it would not be possible for me to become the people’s mandate holder,” he said.
Prabowo officially opened the 35th NU Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Jombang by striking a bedug drum. He was accompanied by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani, chairman of the congress organising committee Saifullah Yusuf, PBNU chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, PBNU Rais Aam Miftachul Akhyar, and Bahrul Ulum caretaker Hasib Wahab Hasbullah. After the drum-striking ceremony, Prabowo received a green turban from PBNU Rais Syuriyah Ali Akbar Marbun, which was placed around his neck.
The 35th NU Congress is being held at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, from 27 to 31 August 2026. The organisation’s highest deliberative forum serves as a moment for Nahdlatul Ulama to discuss various organisational agendas and strategic national issues, as well as a consolidation forum for NU members to formulate the organisation’s direction in facing religious, national and contemporary challenges.