Gus Kikin Enters Race for PBNU Chair Ahead of NU Congress
He said at least five other names have emerged, while the selection process will be set by the congress rules.
KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, or Gus Kikin, the caretaker of Tebuireng Islamic boarding school in Jombang, acknowledged that his name has been included among candidates for PBNU chairman ahead of the 35th NU Congress. At the Halaqah Kebangsaan and Qanun Asasi event at the MPR RI Building in Jakarta on Saturday (8/8/2026), he mentioned several other names that have also surfaced: PBNU chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, KH Zulfa Mustofa, Gus Rozin and Gus Salam. Gus Kikin has not publicly declared his candidacy. He said the choice of chairman will depend on the election mechanism agreed in the congress rules. The 35th NU Congress is scheduled to take place at Darul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic boarding school in Jombang on 27-31 August 2026.