Nahdlatul Ulama gears up for 35th Muktamar with Lirboyo poised as venue and leadership criteria defined

The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) planning committee has evaluated Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo in Kediri, East Java, and found it fully prepared to host the organization’s 35th Muktamar scheduled for 1‑5 August 2026. The assessment highlighted the campus’s transport links via nearby airports and railway stations, ample parking, conference rooms, accommodation options, CCTV‑based security, and access to local hospitals.

Ahead of the congress, NU leaders are also discussing the qualifications for the top post of Rais Aam and the composition of the nine‑member Ahlul Halli wal ’Aqdi (AHWA) body that will select the leader. Criteria emphasized include clear scholarly lineage, documented religious works, tangible contributions to the community, and high moral integrity. Nine senior ulama have been named as potential AHWA members, representing a geographic spread across Java and the outer islands.