Nahdlatul Ulama leadership and literacy disputes

Scholar Khalilur R. Abdullah Sahlawiy, known as Gus Lilur, has issued an open challenge to four prominent Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figures: KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, KH Miftachul Achyar, Saifullah Yusuf, and Nusron Wahid. The challenge follows a police report filed with Bareskrim Polri regarding defamation allegations stemming from Gus Lilur’s podcast comments, in which he claimed Gus Kikin was unable to read classical Islamic texts.

Gus Lilur has proposed that the four individuals demonstrate their ability to compose and read ‘kitab kuning’ (classical Islamic texts) at the upcoming 35th NU Muktamar in Tambakberas. He stated that if they are unable to master the literature, they should enroll as students at the Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School to achieve mastery.

In a related organizational context, Cholil Nafis, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), has called for NU to integrate science, ethics, and organizational systems. He urged the organization to adopt ‘ilmiyah’ (scientific/rational), ‘wasathiyah’ (moderate), and ‘tajdidiyah’ (reformist) characteristics to address global challenges and polarization.