PBNU Chairman Race Dynamic Ahead of Muktamar, Several Names Emerge

The contest for the leadership of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, remains highly dynamic as the 35th Muktamar approaches. Despite several prominent figures emerging as potential candidates for the chairmanship, the landscape of support among voting members is still fluid and subject to change.

Adi Prayitno, Executive Director of Parameter Indonesia, noted that the field of candidates for the PBNU chairmanship is unlikely to narrow down to just a few names definitively at this stage. He emphasized that the evolving support from regional and branch leadership (PWNU and PCNU) will be a critical factor in shaping the direction of the race. "It's still dynamic, and it's very possible it will only narrow down to two names depending on the dynamics of support from Muktamar voters," Adi told Republika.co.id.

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It's still dynamic, and it's very possible it will only narrow down to two names depending on the dynamics of support from Muktamar voters.

Prayitno anticipates that as the Muktamar draws nearer, the level of support from voting members will become clearer, suggesting that the current constellation of candidates could still shift considerably in the coming days. He believes that support from PC and PW levels typically solidifies closer to the event. Several names have surfaced in the PBNU chairmanship race, including incumbent KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, KH Imam Jazuli, KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, and KH Yusuf Chudlori. Other notable figures mentioned in the ongoing discussions include KH Marsudi Syuhud, Rais Syuriah PBNU KH Cholil Nafis, KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin (Gus Rozin), Hery Haryanto Azumi, and KH Abdussalam Shohib (Gus Salam). The emergence of these diverse candidates indicates that the competition is far from decided, with backing from PCNU and PWNU serving as crucial determinants for who will ultimately advance to the election.

The 35th NU Muktamar is scheduled to take place from August 27-31, 2026, at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java. The theme for this significant gathering is "Maintaining Dignity, Enriching Service for the Nation's Benefit." Earlier, M Wildan, a young NU intellectual and researcher at Insantara, assessed that the various candidates possess distinct organizational and political capital, support bases, networks, experience, and leadership qualities.

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Because whatever, if it's close to the Muktamar, the support from PC and PW will start to narrow down. That's my guess.