Profile: PBNU elects Gus Kikin, great-grandson of NU founder Hasyim Asy’ari

KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, widely known as Gus Kikin, has been chosen to lead Nahdlatul Ulama’s central executive board for the 2026-2031 term. Delegates elected him at the organization’s 35th congress at Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java.

Gus Kikin received 472 votes, the highest total among five candidates, before the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi council reached a unanimous decision. KH Anwar Iskandar announced the result during the fifth plenary session on Monday.

He is the caretaker of Tebuireng Islamic boarding school and is associated with the continuation of the work of KH Salahuddin Wahid, known as Gus Sholah, who died in 2020. Through his mother, Gus Kikin is descended from Nyai Hj Khairiyah Hasyim, the eldest daughter of NU founder Hasyim Asy’ari. His father’s family is linked to KH Anwar Alwi, founder of Tarbiyatun Nasyi’in Islamic boarding school in Paculgowang, Jombang.

Born in 1958, Gus Kikin studied in Jombang before attending Jakarta’s School of Shipping Sciences and earning a communications degree from Universitas Terbuka. He also studied at several Islamic boarding schools, including institutions founded by his father and grandfather.

Before his election, he served as PBNU’s chairman for economic affairs and led the NU branch in East Java from 2024. His campaign emphasized renewed support for NU’s Qanun Asasi as the organization’s basic guide, stronger scholarly ethics and chains of learning, and the development of NU members’ economic potential.

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After deliberating on the five candidates presented, the AHWA members unanimously chose KH Abdul Hakim, commonly known as Gus Kikin, as PBNU chairman for the 2026-2031 term.