Senior NU Clerics Urge Munas-Konbes to Avoid Content That Breaks Tradition

Senior Nahdlatul Ulama clerics, known as Masyayikh, held a friendly gathering at the Al-Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri Regency, East Java, on Saturday, ahead of the 2026 National Deliberation of Alim Ulama (Munas) and Grand Conference (Konbes) of Nahdlatul Ulama. The Masyayikh, comprising learned ulama and boarding school caretakers, requested that the Munas and Konbes refrain from discussing or establishing materials that could potentially reduce, shift, or distance the historical, cultural, and spiritual relationship between Nahdlatul Ulama and the Masyayikh and pesantren. “The Masyayikh hope and request that the National Deliberation of Alim Ulama and the Grand Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama be conducted with full wisdom, prudence, and responsibility,” stated a joint declaration received in Jakarta on Saturday. The term Masyayikh refers to teachers characterised as learned, erudite, and esteemed. The Masyayikh participating in the meeting included KH Nurul Huda Jazuli, KH Anwar Manshur, KH A. Kafabihi Mahrus, KH Ma’ruf Amin, KH Said Aqil Siroj, KH Muhammad Khalil As’ad, KH Abdullah Ubab Maimoen, KH Ali Akbar Marbun, KH Ubaidillah Shodaqoh, KH Ali Kholil, KH Asep Saifuddin Chalim, KH Ah. Syatibi Hambali, and KH Mas’ud Masduqi. The Masyayikh stressed the importance of safeguarding the khittah, dignity, unity, and continuity of Nahdlatul Ulama’s role as a socio-religious organisation born and developed from the pesantren environment. Regarding the regulations for Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA), the Masyayikh requested that the mechanism and requirements for selecting AHWA members maintain the forum’s character as a body of ulama based on depth of knowledge, moral exemplarity, breadth of service, and recognition of scholarly authority within Nahdlatul Ulama. They also expressed rejection of the proposal to add a requirement for AHWA candidates mandating status as a syuriyah board member and based on regional representation. Furthermore, the Masyayikh requested that the proposed change to the prohibition on holding concurrent political positions be withdrawn. In the statement, the Masyayikh also affirmed that pesantren are the great home of Nahdlatul Ulama as well as the centre for transmitting knowledge, morals, traditions, and ulama leadership that forms the main foundation of the organisation. Therefore, they hope that future Nahdlatul Ulama Congresses can be held within the pesantren environment as a form of respect for the history, tradition, and chain of knowledge that has been the source of NU’s strength in serving religion, the nation, the state, and humanity. Additionally, the Masyayikh called on all participants, organisers, leaders, and elements of Nahdlatul Ulama involved in the Munas Alim Ulama and Konbes NU to maintain order, morals, and consultative etiquette by prioritising organisational unity and integrity. “Respecting the ulama, strengthening the role of pesantren, and maintaining unity are the main assets for Nahdlatul Ulama to continue carrying out its service to religion, the nation, the state, and humanity,” read one point of the appeal.