Senior NU Clerics Urge Munas-Konbes to Avoid Content That Breaks Tradition
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Masyayikh held a social gathering at the Al-Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri Regency, East Java, on Saturday, ahead of the 202lag National Congress of Ulama and the Grand Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama scheduled for 2026.
The Masyayikh, comprising religious scholars and leaders of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), requested that the upcoming PBNU National Congress and Grand Conference refrain from discussing or establishing matters that have the potential to reduce, shift, or distance the historical, cultural, and spiritual relationship between Nahdlatul Ulama and the Masyayikh and pesantren.
“The Masyayikh hope and pray that the National Congress of Ulama and the Grand Conference of Nahdlatul Ulama are conducted with full wisdom, caution, and responsibility,” stated a joint declaration following the meeting received in Jakarta on Saturday.
The term Masyayikh refers to teachers characterised by their profound religious knowledge, scholarship, and seniority.
Participants 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 emphasised the importance of maintaining the ‘khittah’ (fundamental principles), dignity, unity, and the continued role of Nahdlatul Ulama as a religious and social organisation born and developed from the pesantren environment.
Regarding the regulations for the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA), the scholars requested that the mechanism and requirements for selecting AHWA members maintain the forum’s character as a scholarly body based on depth of knowledge, exemplary character, extensive service, and recognised religious authority within the NU environment.
They also expressed opposition to proposals to add requirements for AHWA candidates that mandate status as members of the ‘syuriyah’ leadership and are based on regional representation. Furthermore, the Masyayikh requested that proposals to change the regulations prohibiting dual political office-holding be cancelled.
In the statement, the Masyayikh also asserted that pesantren serve as the great home of Nahdlatul Ulama and as the centre for the transmission of knowledge, ethics, tradition, and scholarly leadership, which form the primary foundation of the organisation.
Consequently, they hope that the Nahdlatul Ulama Congress can be held within the pesantren environment as a form of respect for the history, tradition, and the chain of knowledge that has long been the source of NU’s strength in serving religion, nation, state, and humanity.
Additionally, the Masyayikh called upon all participants, organisers, leaders, and elements of Nahdlatul Ulama involved in the National Congress of Ulama and the NU Grand Conference to maintain order, ethics, and the etiquette of deliberation, prioritising organisational unity and cohesion.
“Respecting the ulama, strengthening the role of pesantren, and maintaining unity are the primary assets for Nahdlatul Ulama to continue its service to religion, nation, state, and humanity,” noted one of the points in the appeal.