Nahdlatul Ulama leaders' feud fuels member discontent

Gus Lilur (HRM Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy) said most Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) members regret the ongoing internal conflict within the PBNU leadership. He identified six senior figures split into two factions – the "Kubu Sultan" (Rais Aam KH Miftahul Akhyar, Sekretaris Jenderal Saifullah Yusuf, and Bendahara Umum Gudfan Arif Ghofur) and the "Kubu Kramat" (Ketua Umum KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, Katib Aam KH Ahmad Said Asrori, and Wakil Ketua Umum KH Amin Said Husni). The dispute, described as “ambyar” and damaging to organizational unity, has persisted for years despite hopes for reconciliation. Lilur urged the upcoming 35th Muktamar NU to choose a leader who can reunite the board and restore cohesion among the NU constituency.