Heads of cyan Nahdlatul Ulama Organization and Extraordinary Muktamar Committee Reveal Names of Candidates for PBNU Chairperson
Surabaya, CNN Indonesia — The Presidium of Rescuers Organization and Extraordinary Muktamar Committee of Nahdlatul Ulama (PO & MLB NU) have announced a list of candidates for the position of PBNU Chairperson to replace KH Yahya Cholil Staquf. This information was disclosed by the chairman of PO & MLB NU, KH Abdusallam Shohib, also known as Gus Salam.
According to Gus Salam, these names were discussed during the PBNU Muktamar Preparatory Meeting held in Surabaya-Jombang from December 17 to 21, 2024.
The list of candidates includes:
- Two prominent figures from within the PBNU structure: KH ZM and KH RAZ.
- Three candidates from the ranks of the PBNU Executive Council: KH AGR, KH JM, and KH AHM.
- Three figures from outside the NU organizational structure: KH AAK, KH MM, and KH YC.
In addition to the names of the candidates for the PBNU Chairperson, Gus Salam also mentioned that the participants of the Muktamar Preparatory Meeting had proposed names for the Council of prominent Muslim scholars (Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi – AHWA). These names include the current members of the AHWA from the 34th Muktamar in Lampung, minus the Rais Aam, along with additional respected scholars who meet the criteria for AHWA membership based on NU regulations.
The Nahdlatul Ulama Extraordinary Muktamar (MLB NU) is scheduled to take place in January or February 2025, coinciding with the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid Nabi) in the Hijri and Gregorian calendars, and no later than Shawwal 1446 Hijri. Five cities are being considered as venues for the event: Surabaya, Bangkalan, Jombang, Semarang, Cirebon, and Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY).
Meanwhile, the Nahdlatul Ulama Branch Office (PCNU) in Surabaya initially rejected the plans for the Muktamar Preparatory Meeting. The PCNU even requested police intervention to stop the event from taking place in Surabaya. The PCNU leadership, led by Ketua Masduki Toha, visited the Surabaya Police Headquarters to express their concerns and present a petition requesting the cancellation of the event.
KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, also known as Gus Yahya, the current PBNU Chairperson, has stated that the majority of the PBNU Executive Council agrees with the rejection of the proposed Muktamar, citing a lack of urgency in the matter. During a meeting in Surabaya, Gus Yahya expressed his commitment to protecting the integrity of the organization.