The 35th NU Congress Bombshell: The Era of Syuriyah Supremacy Begins, Chairman No Longer Gets a Direct Mandate from the Congress
The 35th Nahdlatul Ulama Congress in Tambakberas, Jombang, on 27–31 August 2026, marks a major shift in the organisation's governance. KH Dr. Ikhsan Abdullah, the Katib Syuriyah of PBNU for 2022–2026, highlighted three strategic decisions: AHWA as a permanent body, Syuriyah supremacy, and strengthening NU's national political stance.
AHWA is now a permanent body that elects the Chairman, replacing the old system where PW and PC directly voted. The process starts with names being shortlisted by PW/PC, then the top five candidates are approved by the elected Rais Aam before AHWA makes the final call. This is meant to ward off transactional politics by putting more emphasis on track record and moral authority.
Syuriyah supremacy has been reasserted: the Rais Aam holds the highest mandate, while the Tanfidziyah Chairman's job is to carry out policies. The Chairman is no longer picked directly by the congress but through the AHWA mechanism with the Rais Aam's blessing. This takes NU back to its original design as a jam'iyyah of ulama, not a practical political outfit.
On national issues, any decision related to Pancasila, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and elections must go through collective ijtihad by the Syuriyah. KH Ikhsan stressed that the success of the 35th Congress will be tested over the next five years, depending on the ability to keep AHWA independent and maintain the dignity of the ulama so NU stays as the nation's guardian.
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