Ahead of NU 2026 congress, Hatim Gazali sets 9 PBNU criteria
He also urged that candidates not be active in a political party or hold a political office, citing NU's independence.
Ahead of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress on Aug. 27-31, 2026 in Jombang, East Java, young NU activist Hatim Gazali proposed nine criteria for candidates for the next term of the PBNU chairman. He said the organization’s highest forum would do more than choose a new chairman, but would also determine the group’s direction in facing social, economic, political and technological developments. Hatim cited an Alvara Research Center survey at the end of 2025 that said about 140 million Indonesians identify as Nahdliyin. He said the PBNU leader should be a unifier, deeply rooted in pesantren, experienced from the branch level to the center, have national and global views, and safeguard NU’s independence by not being part of a political party or holding a political office.