Largest Islamic Organization Nahdlatul Ulama Held 35th Congress

RRI.CO.ID, Jombang – One of the world’s largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), is holding its 35th congress (muktamar). The muktamar is being held at Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School in Jombang Regency, East Java, from Thursday, August 27, 2026, to Monday, August 31, 2026.

NU was founded in 1926 as an organization firmly rooted in the traditionalist strain of Islam. An NU source estimates that as many as 160 million Indonesians identify themselves as affiliated with NU, making it the largest Islamic organization worldwide if all of them are assumed to be formal members.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto attended and officially opened the muktamar on Thursday. This year’s muktamar, held every five years, carries the theme, “Preserving Dignity, Enriching Service for the Nation's Welfare.”

In his report, Chairperson of the Muktamar Organizing Committee Syaifullah Yusuf said that NU officials from various levels, both from Indonesia and abroad, attended the muktamar. Participants include representatives from 38 regional boards, more than 550 branch boards, and 33 special branch boards.

In addition to the official participants, the 35th NU Congress is expected to draw tens of thousands of people from across Indonesia. They have traveled by various means to attend and take part in the muktamar.

"We estimate that the congress will also be enlivened by more than 50,000 ‘romlah’, groups of people traveling for the sake of Allah (rombongan lillahi ta'ala)coming from all corners of the country. Some are traveling in groups, while others are coming alone. Some are arriving by plane, train, or bus, while others are using private vehicles," Syaifullah said, as quoted by the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat on Thursday.

In his remarks, President Prabowo expre, ssed his gratitude for the opportunity to attend the muktamar opening. He emphasized that Nahdlatul Ulama is a historic institution that has played a major role in Indonesia’s journey and struggle for independence.

"This is a great honor for me. Nahdlatul Ulama is a historic institution that has made an enormous contribution to the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia," Prabowo said.

President Prabowo then struck a large bedug, a traditional Indonesian drum, to officially mark the opening of the muktamar. The bedug beat marked the beginning of the congress sessions, which will provide a forum for NU officials and participants to formulate the organization’s future direction, programs, and recommendations for the benefit of both the organization and the Indonesian nation.