Profile: KH Abdul Hakim, elected leader of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama

KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, widely known as Gus Kikin, has moved from leading one of East Java’s best-known Islamic boarding schools to the top post in Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s major Muslim organization.

The decision came at NU’s 35th congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java, on Aug. 31, 2026. KH Anwar Iskandar announced that the organization’s Ahlul Halil Wal Aqdi, or AHWA, council had reached a consensus to select Gus Kikin as chairman of the central executive board for the 2026-2031 term.

Born on Aug. 17, 1958, Gus Kikin is the son of KH Mahfudz Anwar and Nyai Hj Abidah Ma’shum. His family is connected to the Tebuireng religious community and to Hadratussyaikh KH Hasyim Asy’ari. He first studied religion with his parents while at Sunan Ampel Islamic boarding school in Jombang. He later attended junior and senior high school in Jombang before studying at the Jakarta Maritime Institute.

His career also extended beyond the pesantren world. He served as the Cilegon regional branch head of PT Djakarta Lloyd and worked in commodity trading, including areca nuts and essential oils. He co-founded PT Energi Mineral Langgeng, an oil and gas company, and PT Bama Berita Sarana, a network broadcasting media company. He was also involved with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Gus Kikin became deputy caretaker of Tebuireng under Gus Sholah and later took over as caretaker after Gus Sholah’s death. In 2024, he was unanimously elected chairman of NU’s East Java branch for 2024-2029. He was one of five candidates considered for the central leadership post, alongside KH Zulfa Mustofa, KH Abdussalam Sochib, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf and KH Abdul Ghaffar Rozin, and received the most support during the selection process.

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The Ahlul Halil Wal Aqdi members unanimously decided to choose KH Abdul Hakim, commonly known as Gus Kikin, as chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Executive Board for the 2026-2031 term.