NU pushes to lead Indonesia's halal ecosystem development

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), one of Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations, is actively preparing to enhance its leadership role in the nation's burgeoning halal ecosystem. This strategic initiative is slated for discussion during the commission program at the 35th NU Congress, scheduled to take place from August 27-31, 2026, at Pondok Pesantren Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas in Jombang.

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NU is building Indonesia as halal. NU as its leader. We have started moving in that direction. We have started building partnerships with various parties.

KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), expressed NU's agenda to bolster Indonesia's position as a global hub for halal products and services, with NU itself taking a leading role in this development. "NU is building Indonesia as halal. NU as its leader. We have started moving in that direction. We have started building partnerships with various parties," Ulil stated.

Ulil highlighted that NU possesses prominent figures well-versed in sharia economics and halal issues, notably former Vice President KH Ma'ruf Amin. PBNU plans to leverage Amin's expertise and public recognition as an icon for NU's sharia economic projects. "Coincidentally, NU has an iconic figure in the halal issue, KH Ma'ruf Amin. We will make him an icon of NU's sharia economic project," Ulil said.

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Coincidentally, NU has an iconic figure in the halal issue, KH Ma'ruf Amin. We will make him an icon of NU's sharia economic project.

This move signifies NU's increasingly official involvement in the development of halal certification and sharia economics. "This is the first time NU is officially involved in the issue of halal certification, then sharia economics, and so on," Ulil noted. The organization's efforts are partly channeled through the Lembaga Pemeriksa Halal Nahdlatul Ulama Halal Assurance Center (LPH NU-HAC). This institution's establishment is linked to regulatory changes that decentralized halal examination authority from a single body to various Islamic organizations.

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This is the first time NU is officially involved in the issue of halal certification, then sharia economics, and so on.

Ulil further explained that not all halal examination bodies have the same scope of authority. Some are limited to domestic inspections, while others, like LPH NU-HAC, are authorized to conduct examinations internationally. "So the top-tier ones, like LPH NU-HAC, have the authority to inspect abroad. Not all have that authority. Only a few are considered competent," he said. This international capability opens significant opportunities for Indonesia within the global halal market.

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So the top-tier ones, like LPH NU-HAC, have the authority to inspect abroad. Not all have that authority. Only a few are considered competent.