Yenny Wahid Stresses Reconciliation Is Imperative After 35th NU Congress

Prominent female Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figure Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh, widely known as Yenny Wahid, has stressed that reconciliation is an absolute step that must be taken after the 35th NU Congress. She said this is important to reunite various groups that experienced internal friction during the organisational process.

“Whoever wins, whoever is elected, their primary obligation is to unite all the factions currently involved in disputes,” Yenny said in a statement in Jombang, East Java, on Wednesday (19/8).

The daughter of Indonesia’s fourth president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) emphasised that the NU Congress must not merely serve as an arena for national leadership succession. The organisation’s highest forum should be a momentum to end tensions and strengthen unity among Nahdliyin members.

Yenny assessed that the incoming Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) board resulting from the upcoming congress needs to immediately carry out thorough consolidation and reconciliation. This step is crucial so that organisational solidarity is restored and not fractured by short-term interests.

According to her, the reconciliation process must be conducted objectively without prioritising the interests of any particular group or faction. She encouraged all elements of NU to return to the basic principles and legacy of the organisation’s founders.

“Returning NU to its khittah, yes. Then making the Qanun Asasi the basic principle for running Nahdlatul Ulama going forward,” she said.

Furthermore, Yenny reminded that the dynamics occurring ahead of the congress should not give rise to new factions that would prolong internal tensions. She expressed hope that future organisational governance would be able to embrace all groups without exception.

“Do not let the congress only produce who wins and who loses. What is more important is how after the congress all NU members can walk together again,” Yenny stressed.

PBNU is scheduled to hold the 35th NU Congress on 27–31 August 2026. The event will be centred at Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School in Jombang. According to the schedule, the congress opening is planned to be attended by President Prabowo Subianto.