Unveiling the Logo for the 35th NU Congress: Who Created It?

The Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) has selected the logo for the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress as the official identity for the organisation’s highest consultative forum. The design is the work of M Shofa Ulum Azmi, an alumnus of the Langitan Islamic Boarding School in Tuban, East Java. The selection of the logo is a significant milestone, extending the legacy of contribution from Pondok Pesantren Langitan, which was established in 1852, in producing scholars and cadres who have consistently served the organisation from before NU’s founding into its second century. The designer of the 35th NU Congress logo, M Shofa Ulum Azmi, stated in Jakarta on Sunday that the visual design idea originated from a simple sketch that evolved into a symbol of leadership harmony within NU. “This logo began as a rough sketch that then formed two circles as its main construction. I interpret the two circles as symbols of Syuriah and Tanfidziyah moving in harmony in carrying out the service of Nahdlatul Ulama,” he said. Shofa added that the logo design, which represents a mutually reinforcing relationship like that of a father and son, was completed overnight before being refined through several finishing stages. The selection of this Langitan alumnus’s work also recalls the strong historical connection, as two main founders of NU, Hadlratussyaikh KH Hasyim Asy’ari and KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah, were students of the second caretaker of Pondok Pesantren Langitan, KH Ahmad Sholeh. This tradition of service was continued by subsequent caretakers, from KH Muhammad Khozin in NU’s early period, KH Abdul Hadi Zahid, to KH Abdullah Faqih, who was once entrusted as a Mustasyar of PBNU. Now, the baton of service is carried by KH Ma’shum Faqih, who serves as Deputy Secretary General of PBNU, making history as the first kiai from Pondok Pesantren Langitan to sit on the Tanfidziyah board of PBNU. PBNU Deputy Secretary General KH Ma’shum Faqih assessed that the selection of this logo proves that the pesantren, located in Widang District, continues to produce real contributions to the organisation in various fields, including through the creative works of its alumni.