Prabowo Arrives for NU Congress Closing, Welcomed by Gus Kikin and Rais Aam

President Prabowo Subianto arrived at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school in Tambakberas, Jombang, for the closing of Nahdlatul Ulama’s 35th Congress on Monday, August 31. He wore a white shirt and black songkok.

Newly elected PBNU chairman KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, widely known as Gus Kikin, welcomed him alongside Rais Aam KH Miftahul Achyar and the head of Bahrul Ulum, KH Mohammad Hasib Wahab Chasbullah, known as Gus Hasib. Delegates greeted Prabowo with salawat as he entered the congress venue.

The five-day congress opened on Thursday, August 27, and concluded on Monday. Prabowo had also attended and opened the event on August 27.

Gus Kikin was chosen to lead PBNU for 2026-2031 through the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi process. He had received written approval from the incoming Rais Aam and won 472 votes, the highest total among five candidates in the congress’s fifth plenary session. Miftahul Achyar was selected as Rais Aam for the same period.

Gus Kikin heads the Tebuireng Islamic boarding school and is expected to continue the work associated with KH Salahuddin Wahid, or Gus Sholah, who died in 2020.