Prabowo closes NU Congress, congratulates new leadership
President Prabowo Subianto officially closed the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, on Monday and congratulated PBNU Chairman for the 2026-2031 period KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz and PBNU Rais Aam KH Miftachul Akhyar.
In Tambakberas, the closing ceremony was marked by the President striking a beduk and kentungan, symbolising the end of the week-long 35th NU Congress.
“I congratulate the elected NU leadership. I congratulate the successful, harmonious and peaceful conduct of the Congress,” said Prabowo during the closing ceremony of the 35th NU Congress in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, on Monday.
The President also expressed his hopes for NU. “Congratulations on the successful implementation of the 35th Congress. The nation, the people and the ummah await the devoted service of Nahdlatul Ulama in the days, months and years to come,” said the President.
As part of the closing ceremony of the 35th NU Congress, Prabowo received an NU membership card handed directly by PBNU Rais Aam KH Miftachul Akhyar.
The President expressed his feelings upon receiving the membership card while speaking before the Nahdliyin gathered in Tambakberas on Monday.
“Thank you. This is a great honour for me, and here, there is something even more extraordinary — here, below, it says ‘lifetime member’. This is extraordinary,” said the President.
He continued, “so today I can say that I have been accepted as a member of Nahdlatul Ulama. Thank you. This means that Nahdlatul Ulama, together with all the people of Indonesia, will work hard together in all fields through mutual cooperation.”
The President then praised NU for resolving differences among its members and successfully completing the congress.
“I believe NU has set an example for the entire nation of how an organisation with tens of millions of members, thousands of pesantren and tens of thousands of kiai could hold a Congress successfully, peacefully and harmoniously. I think that is the most important thing I want to convey,” said Prabowo.