Ministers, agency heads, and clerics attend NU Congress

A significant gathering of Indonesian political and religious figures marked the opening of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress in Jombang on Thursday.

The event saw the presence of numerous cabinet ministers, heads of state institutions, and prominent Islamic clerics, underscoring the organization's influence.

Among the high-ranking officials in attendance were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, and State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi. Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar and Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian were also present.

The security apparatus was represented by National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, who observed the proceedings. Parliamentary leaders, including the Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ahmad Muzani, also joined the event. Heads of national agencies such as the National Food Agency (BGN) Sudaryono and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) Friderica Widyasari Dewi, along with Bank Indonesia Governor Destry Damayanti, were also noted.

Prominent figures from Nahdlatul Ulama, the world's largest Muslim organization, included Rais Aam PBNU KH Miftachul Akhyar and General Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf. The congress also drew leaders from other major Islamic organizations, such as the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) KH Anwar Iskandar and the Chairman of Muhammadiyah's Central Leadership, Haedar Nashir.