Rumours of Cak Nun's Death Circulate; Family Says It's Another Hoax

Rumours of the death of cultural figure and preacher Emha Ainun Najib, popularly known as Cak Nun, circulated via a chain message. The family described the reports as hoaxes. Cak Nun’s younger brother, Yusron Aminullah, admitted reading the news via a messaging app. ‘Hoaxes again, sir,’ Yusron told detikJogja on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He said that Cak Nun is currently at home and in improving health. ‘He was last admitted to hospital over a year ago, and his condition now is improving,’ he added. Yusron declined to comment on the spread of the hoax, noting that such rumours have circulated frequently. ‘It happens a lot. All we can do is pray for him,’ he said. The hoax circulated through a chain message and stated that Cak Nun had died in a city in Germany. ‘Our friend Emha Ainun Najib has died today (18 May) at 10:35 CEST in Charité Mitte,’ the hoax message read. (ahr/dil)