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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Female Scholars Proposed for Key NU Decision-Making Body

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • A network within Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has proposed including female scholars in the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi (AHWA) decision-making body.
  • The group argues that the current AHWA, composed solely of men, should be re-evaluated based on merit, not gender.
  • They suggest two prominent female scholars, Nyai Sinta Nuriyah and Nyai Machfudhoh Aly Ubaid, as potential candidates for AHWA membership.

The Jaringan Nahdlatul Ulama Kultural (Janur) has called for female scholars to be included in the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi (AHWA) council, a key decision-making body within Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Islamic organization. This proposal comes ahead of the 35th NU Congress scheduled for August 27-31, 2026, in Jombang, East Java.

AHWA should be filled based on scholarly capacity, integrity, exemplary conduct, dedication, influence, and the ability to safeguard the welfare of the organization.

— Aan AnshoriStating the criteria for AHWA membership.

Aan Anshori, a Janur activist, stated that the AHWA holds a strategic position in NU's structure, particularly in selecting the Rais Aam, the organization's supreme leader. He emphasized that AHWA membership should be based on scholarly capacity, integrity, exemplary conduct, dedication, influence, and the ability to safeguard the organization's welfare. Anshori pointed out that the current AHWA selection mechanism, in use since the 35th Congress, needs review because all elected members have been men, despite no explicit rule barring women.

Anshori highlighted NU's long-standing tradition of producing influential female scholars who have significantly contributed to Islamic education, social services, theological development, and national life. He specifically nominated Nyai Dr (HC) Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid and Nyai Hj Machfudhoh Aly Ubaid as individuals possessing the necessary qualifications for AHWA membership.

The AHWA mechanism used since the 35th NU Congress needs to be reviewed because all AHWA members elected so far have been men. However, there is no explicit provision stating that AHWA members must be men.

— Aan AnshoriCritiquing the current male-dominated composition of the AHWA.

According to Anshori, Sinta Nuriyah, the widow of former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), has a proven track record of advocating for human dignity, equality, and inclusive religious life. She has also served on the PBNU's Mustasyar (advisory council) for several terms. The proposal aims to ensure that NU's highest decision-making body reflects a broader representation of its scholarly community, acknowledging the vital roles women have played within the organization.

Sinta Nuriyah has a long track record of advocating for human dignity, equality, and inclusive religious life.

— Aan AnshoriHighlighting the qualifications of Nyai Sinta Nuriyah.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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