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[CULTURE] · Indonesia · 7 sources

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Indonesia's Nahdlatul Ulama Holds 35th Muktamar in Jombang, Sets Leadership Criteria and Registers 501 Delegates

The 35th Muktamar of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is scheduled for 27–31 August 2026 at Pondok Pesantren Bahrul Ulum in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java. The congress will elect a new Pengurus Besar (PBNU) chair and is expected to shape the organization’s role in Indonesian society.

NU activists, including Hatim Gazali, outlined nine criteria for the prospective leader: ability to unite internal factions, strong pesantren roots, extensive organisational experience, national and global vision, independence from political parties or offices, capacity to act as a constructive civil‑society force, advocacy for the vulnerable, balance of tradition and modernisation, and proven scholarly integrity.

Local PCNU leaders have urged Prof. KH Nasaruddin Umar to stand as a candidate for the PBNU chairmanship. Meanwhile, PBNU released the first stage of the Temporary Participant List (DPS), recording 501 branch structures – 31 regional boards (PWNU), 456 branch boards (PCNU) and 14 special branches (PCINU). Each verified entity may send four delegates (ra’is, katib, ketua, sekretaris). Corrections to the list are accepted until 6 August, with DPS Stage II to be announced on 7 August.

The host pesantren will also involve some santri as volunteers for the event while providing online learning for those released to continue their studies, ensuring education proceeds alongside the congress preparations.

Entities

Hatim Gazali · Jombang · KH Abdurrozaq Sholeh · Nahdlatul Ulama · Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) · Prof. KH Nasaruddin Umar · Saifullah Yusuf

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