Gus Kikin Elected NU Chairman for 2026-2031 Term

KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, widely known as Gus Kikin, has been chosen to lead Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s large Islamic organization, for the 2026-2031 term.

Delegates elected him at the 35th NU Congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school in Tambakberas, Jombang, on Aug. 31. He received 472 votes, ahead of KH Zulfa Mustofa with 262, KH Abdussalam Sochib with 261, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf with 258 and KH Abdul Ghofar Rozin with 155.

The decision followed the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi process. Nine senior clerics reached a consensus after considering the five candidates. KH Anwar Iskandar announced the decision at a plenary session after the closed AHWA meeting, which lasted from 6:20 a.m. to 7 a.m. The nine members signed the official record confirming Gus Kikin’s election.

Gus Kikin, born on Aug. 17, 1958, is the great-grandson of NU founder Hasyim Asy’ari. He leads Tebuireng Islamic boarding school in Jombang, succeeding his uncle Salahuddin Wahid, who died in 2020. He previously served as chairman of the East Java NU regional board for 2024-2029 and held a chairmanship in the central NU organization.

Before the congress, the East Java regional board formally backed his candidacy in July 2026. His campaign themes included reinforcing NU’s Qanun Asasi as the organization’s basic guide, strengthening scholarly etiquette and chains of learning, and developing the economic potential of NU members.

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After deliberating on the five candidates put forward, the AHWA members unanimously chose KH Abdul Hakim, commonly known as Gus Kikin, as chairman of PBNU for the 2026-2031 term.