Ahead of the 35th NU Congress: PBNU Must Serve as Khadimul Ulama

Ahead of the 35th NU Congress: PBNU Must Serve as Khadimul Ulama

Pandeglang — Recently, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has faced significant challenges in maintaining its independence amid strong pulls from various political and economic interests.

Many figures within Indonesia's largest Islamic organization have been tempted to take political sides or even directly engage in practical political contests. As a result, the core mission of da'wah (preaching) and nurturing the community risks being sidelined.

In reality, NU's primary strength lies in its moral independence. Through this independence, NU remains firmly positioned as a balancing force—correcting the government whenever missteps occur, while fully supporting policies that yield positive impacts for the public good.

Returning to the Khitthah as a Moral Compass
This statement was delivered by the Chairman of the Executive Council (Tanfidziyah) of PCNU Pandeglang Regency (2024–2029), Dr. H. Enci Zarkasih, M.Pd., M.T., addressing recent domestic political dynamics.

According to him, NU must return to its sacred role as a moral force guiding the nation toward prosperity and justice.

"NU is not an instrument of power; it is a guardian of values, ethics, and integrity in national life. Leaders who succumb to political interests—or use the organization's influence for political gain—must return to NU's original foundation (Khitthah)," asserted KH Enci Zarkasih.

He added that the incoming PBNU leadership must help guide the nation alongside the administration of Prabowo Subianto, which faces highly complex global challenges, including:

Globalized values and moral crises

Rapid digital disruption

International competition that leans toward exploitation rather than mere rivalry

Therefore, the next General Chairman of PBNU must be capable of positioning NU as a "golden bridge" between the Muslim community and the government.

3 Key Criteria for the Next PBNU General Chairman
To address these challenges, KH Enci Zarkasih outlined three crucial criteria for the future PBNU General Chairman:

Guarantor of Religious Values (Bridge & Guarantor)

Capable of ensuring that state policies are imbued with religious values such as justice, honesty, and togetherness, retaining their moral dimension.

Master Mediator Between Umat and Government

Skilled at maintaining harmony by conveying public aspirations to officials while effectively explaining state policies to the people to build mutual understanding.

Productive and Critical Strategic Partner

Consistently offering constructive feedback, insights, and policy alternatives from a community-focused perspective so that national policies remain grounded in moral values.

The Ideal Candidate: Dr. KH Marsudi Syuhud
When asked about a figure who fits these criteria, KH Enci Zarkasih directly named one candidate:

"If I may name a figure, the candidate for PBNU General Chairman who fits these criteria is Dr. KH Marsudi Syuhud. He has extensive organizational experience, served as Secretary General of PBNU for nine years, and currently serves as Vice General Chairman of MUI. With his vast array of experience, he is deemed highly capable of leading PBNU for the next five years," he concluded.

In short, the new PBNU leadership must not only possess deep religious knowledge and a strong grasp of ummatan wasathan, but also hold a clear geopolitical and geoeconomic vision to truly become a servant of the scholars (Khadimul Ulama).