Senior Kiai Urge Wisdom and Caution Ahead of NU National Conference

Kediri (ANTARA) - Senior kiai have expressed their hope that the Musyawarah Nasional Alim Ulama and Konferensi Besar Nahdlatul Ulama, held at the Al Falah Pesantren in Kediri, East Java, proceed with wisdom, caution, and a sense of responsibility.

Abdurrohman Al-Kautsar, known as Gus Kautsar and caretaker of the Al Falah Pesantren in Ploso, Mojo, Kediri, stated on Saturday that the senior scholars (masyayikh) earnestly hope and pray that the conference runs with full wisdom, prudence, and accountability.

Following a meeting with the senior kiai, Gus Kautsar relayed several directives and requests from the masyayikh to the conference participants. These include a request not to discuss, let alone decide on, matters that could potentially diminish, shift, or distance the historical, cultural, and spiritual relationship between NU as an organisation and the masyayikh who lead Muktabar pesantren.

In this regard, the masyayikh requested that any regulations concerning the requirements and mechanisms for selecting the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (Ahwa) council maintain its character as a forum of ulama grounded in scholarly depth, exemplary conduct, noble character, extensive service, and recognised religious authority within the NU community.

Gus Kautsar added that the senior kiai believe an approach overly focused on structural positions or regional representation risks distorting the Ahwa council from its essence as a forum of ulama into a mere forum of structural representation. Such a shift, he noted, could narrow the space for service by pesantren ulama who possess scholarly authority and religious prestige but do not hold organisational positions or fit into regional representation schemes.

“In the long term, they believe these steps will weaken, distance, or even sever the historical bond between NU and the pesantren and its masyayikh, and reduce the ulama’s function as those who explore, guard, and guide the organisation’s direction. Consequently, Nahdlatul Ulama would stray from its foundational principles (khitah), thought (fikrah), and methodology (manhaj),” he said.

He further noted that the masyayikh also requested the enforcement of existing rules, including the prohibition against the supreme leader, the chairman, holding concurrent executive positions.

Regarding the Ahwa election mechanism, he stated that it has not changed to date, including the technical aspects, and it is hoped it will not be altered due to historical and cultural considerations.

Meanwhile, K.H. Asep Saifuddin Chalim, a senior kiai who attended the meeting, affirmed that the ulama’s decisions were made to emphasise that NU is a big home for pesantren. The caretaker of the Amanatul Ummah Pesantren in Surabaya added that concerning the election of the Rais Syuriah and Rais ’Aam, the committee must follow the guidance of the ulama as the owners of the organisation, including adhering to their decisions.

“The masyayikh reject the draft proposing an Ahwa based on a zonal system; the Ahwa must be representative of the ulama. They also reject the notion that the PBNU chairman can hold concurrent executive positions. These are among the decisions,” he stated.

The meeting was attended by several prominent kiai, including K.H. Nurul Huda Jazudi of PP Al Falah Ploso, Kediri; K.H. Anwar Manshur of PP Lirboyo Kediri; K.H. A. Kafabihi Mahrus of PP Lirboyo Kediri and Rais Syuriyah PBNU; K.H. R. Muhammad Khalil As’ad of PP Wali Songo Situbondo; and Prof. Dr. K.H. Said Aqil Siroj of PP Al-Tsaqafah Jakarta and Mustasyar PBNU, among other senior kiai.