DEPOK, Indonesia, June 6, 2026 — Senior Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cleric Prof. Dr. KH. Manarul Hidayat has expressed his support and blessing for Gus Hery Haryanto Azumi’s bid to run for chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) at the upcoming 35th NU Congress.
The endorsement was conveyed during a cordial gathering held on Saturday at the Almanar Azhari Islamic Boarding School in Depok, where Gus Hery and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the respected NU elder.
The delegation, led by Dr. Fadli Yasir, MA, consisted of NU cadres and activists from various professional backgrounds. The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, focused on the future of NU and leadership challenges facing Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization.
During the discussion, Manarul praised the presence of what he described as NU’s intellectual cadres, individuals with strong academic credentials, organizational experience, and a deep commitment to the values and traditions of the organization.
“I am delighted to welcome these NU cadres who possess knowledge, integrity, and genuine concern for the organization. In a substantive sense, they are kiai because they embody scholarship, moral character, and dedication, even if they do not formally carry the title. NU needs individuals like them who work quietly, think for the benefit of the community, and devote themselves selflessly to strengthening the organization,” Manarul said.
The senior cleric, who is widely known for his close relationship with the late Indonesian President and former NU chairman KH. Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, emphasized that NU’s future leadership should emerge from a long and mature cadre development process.
According to him, intellectual NU cadres with proven capability, organizational experience, and respect for the traditions of Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah have a moral responsibility to participate in leading the organization.
“An organization as large as NU must be safeguarded by individuals who understand its spirit, history, and the ideals of its founders. They cannot remain mere spectators. They have a historical obligation to ensure that NU continues to serve as a pillar of the Muslim community and the Indonesian nation,” he said.
Manarul also highlighted the importance of leadership regeneration from within NU’s own cadre system. He pointed to organizations such as the Indonesian Islamic Student Movement (PMII) and other NU-affiliated bodies as institutions that have produced capable leaders who understand NU’s culture and values.
“NU will remain on the right track when it is led by individuals who were born, nurtured, and shaped within the NU tradition. Cadres who have undergone the organization’s own process of formation possess strong moral, historical, and organizational legitimacy to lead NU into the future,” he said.
He added that the increasingly complex challenges of the modern era require leaders who not only understand religious issues but are also capable of navigating social, economic, technological, and geopolitical changes.
Responding to the support, Gus Hery expressed gratitude for the warm reception, guidance, and prayers he received from Manarul.
“It is a great honor for me to receive advice and blessings from Kiai Manarul, one of NU’s respected senior figures. He has devoted much of his life to the organization, maintained a close relationship with Gus Dur, and played an important role in strengthening NU’s institutional foundations, including the development of the PBNU headquarters on Kramat Raya. I am deeply grateful for his support and prayers,” Gus Hery said.
During the meeting, Manarul also stressed the importance of preserving NU as an inclusive home for all Nahdliyin, regardless of organizational affiliation, generation, or background.
Recalling his involvement in helping realize the construction of the PBNU headquarters during the Gus Dur era, he emphasized that the building belongs to all members of the NU community.
“When Gus Dur entrusted me with helping to realize the construction of the NU building, we were guided by a clear principle: the building was established through dedication to the organization and the Muslim community. Therefore, it belongs to all Nahdliyin. It must remain open to cadres, clerics, students, academics, and everyone who wishes to serve NU. There should be no exclusivity or restrictions that limit access to certain groups. NU was built through the contributions and sacrifices of many people, and its benefits should be enjoyed by the entire NU family,” he said.
He further noted that openness and brotherhood were among the values consistently championed by NU’s founders and reinforced by Gus Dur throughout his leadership.
“NU will remain strong as long as it is managed with an open heart, respects differing views, and provides opportunities for its best cadres to contribute. The more room we give our cadres to serve, the stronger NU will become in facing future challenges,” he added.
At the conclusion of the gathering, Manarul delivered a message to Gus Hery and his team, urging them to dedicate their efforts to the welfare of the Muslim community and the nation.
“Strive for NU in the interest of public welfare. Make NU a force that safeguards national unity, strengthens moderate religious life, and promotes social justice for all Indonesians. We must never forget that Indonesia’s founding was inseparable from the contributions of Muslim scholars, Nahdliyin, and Nahdlatul Ulama. Protecting NU means protecting one of the nation’s fundamental pillars,” he said.
The meeting concluded with a joint prayer and a shared commitment to maintaining unity among NU members ahead of the 35th NU Congress, which is expected to determine the organization’s future leadership and direction.
(Samsul Muarif)