Senior NU Figure in West Java: NU Must Be Independent to Be Strong and Not Dependent
Jakarta, VIVA – KH Abdussalam Shohib or Gus Salam visited a senior NU figure in West Java, KH Sofyan Yahya, on Wednesday, 22 April 2026. The visit was conducted as part of maintaining ties and seeking advice from NU elders in West Java.
Gus Salam stated that the visit to KH Sofyan Yahya was to understand the exemplary experiences in leading NU West Java, as well as to request prayers and blessings for his efforts in the upcoming 35th NU congress.
“Ajengan Sofyan emphasised that NU is a fortress of morals and morality in national and societal life. And it must be preserved indefinitely and in any condition,” said Gus Salam in a written statement on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
“All dynamics of the upcoming congress must be grounded in good morals and avoid money politics,” he added.
He also conveyed a message from the Rais Syuriyah of PWNU West Java 2016-2021, KH M. Nuh Addawami. It was stated that being an official in the NU organisation must be capable of acting as a doctor for those who are ill.
Besides as a doctor, officials also act as parents guiding their family, true friends for NU members who want to share their complaints, and motivators for the Nahdliyyin community.
“Be an official, not a leader. Because in NU what is needed is an official who attends to the needs of the community, serving all the complaints of the ummah,” said Gus Salam.
According to Gus Salam, the message from KH Addawami is a reflective affirmation from NU’s founder, Hasyim Asy’ari, namely to be an official full of service, not a leader who tends to prioritise power.
“Therefore, I am a student, following the directions, orders, and advice of the teachers, kyai, and NU and pesantren scholars. When I am ordered to strive to become the General Chairman of PBNU through the 35th congress, later. Even if I am destined to become the leadership of PBNU in the future. In truth, I am not a leader, but a student who serves (manages) NU,” he said.
Meanwhile, KH Arif Afifudin or Gus Ayis explained that KH Sofyan always pays attention to NU’s developments and has great hopes that NU truly becomes independent, having major duties and responsibilities, just as the character of pesantren is built on its independence.