Rais Aam Agrees to Hold NU Congress on 1-5 August 2026

Senior clerics holding positions in the Syuriyah of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU) visited the residence of PBNU Rais Aam KH Miftachul Akhyar in Surabaya on Tuesday night (5/5). The visit by these senior clerics from PBNU aimed to request the acceleration of the 35th NU Congress. The meeting produced a crucial agreement regarding the schedule for the congress of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation. The Rais Aam agreed to promote holding the 35th NU Congress as soon as early August next year. “The Rais Aam is promoting the implementation of the 35th NU Congress on 1-5 August 2026 and it has been approved by the PBNU General Chairman,” said PBNU Katib KH Ahmad Tajul Mafakhir in a written statement on Thursday (7/5). Several names of clerics in the Syuriyah ranks were present at the meeting, including KH Anwar Iskandar, KH Afifuddin Muhajir, KH Aniq Muhammadun, KH Sadid Jauhari, KH Muhibbul Aman Aly, KH Tonthowi Jauhari Musaddad, and KH Imam Buchori. Kiai Tajul explained that the visit by these senior clerics was an effort to maintain stability and continuity of leadership within PBNU. “Last night’s meeting was part of the consultation among senior clerics to ensure that the congress runs well, smoothly, and brings benefits to the organisation,” he said. Following the meeting with the senior clerics, the Rais Aam is said to summon PBNU General Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf to the PBNU office. The main agenda is to discuss technical readiness so that there are no significant obstacles in the implementation on the ground. Kiai Tajul emphasised that the Rais Aam gave special instructions for the entire tanfidziyah ranks to immediately complete the preparations. “PBNU Rais Aam requests that technical preparations be finalised immediately, so that the implementation of the 35th NU Congress does not encounter obstacles,” he concluded. As of the publication of this news, PBNU is refining internal coordination to ensure that the Rais Aam’s instructions can be fully implemented as a service on 1-5 August 2026.