Nahdlatul Ulama Names Gus Kikin as Leader for 2026-2031 Term

JOMBANG, Indonesia, Aug 31 (STUPA NEWS) — Nahdlatul Ulama, one of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisations, has elected KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, widely known as Gus Kikin, as its chairman for the 2026-2031 term, the organisation said on Monday.

Gus Kikin was selected through the Ahlul Halli Wal Aqdi (AHWA) mechanism after receiving the highest number of votes among five candidates at the organisation’s 35th congress in Jombang, East Java.

He secured 472 votes, ahead of KH Zulfa Mustofa with 262 votes, KH Abdussalam Sochib with 261, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf with 258 and KH Abdul Ghofar Rozin with 155 votes.

The final decision was announced by KH Anwar Iskandar, a member of the nine-member AHWA council, during the fifth plenary session of the congress at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school in Tambakberas, Jombang.

Iskandar said the AHWA members had held a closed-door consultation before unanimously selecting Gus Kikin as chairman.

Gus Kikin, born on Aug. 17, 1958, is the head of Tebuireng Islamic boarding school in Jombang and a great-grandson of KH Hasyim Asy'ari, one of Nahdlatul Ulama’s founders.

He previously served as chairman of the organisation’s East Java regional board for the 2024-2029 term and has also held a leadership position at the national board.

His candidacy for chairman was formally endorsed by the East Java regional board in July.

During his campaign, Gus Kikin promoted a number of priorities, including strengthening the organisation’s Qanun Asasi as its foundational guidance, reinforcing Islamic scholarly traditions and chains of religious knowledge, and expanding economic opportunities for Nahdlatul Ulama members.

Nahdlatul Ulama, commonly known as NU, has a vast network of Islamic boarding schools, educational institutions and social organisations across Indonesia. (Gusti Haes)