Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Mujahadah Kubro Mass Prayer in Commemoration of 100 Years of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) at Gajayana Stadion, Malang City, East Java Province, February 8, 2026

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Alhamdulillahirrabbilalamin, wassalatu wassalamu’ala ashrafil anbiya i wal-mursalin,

Sayidina wa habibina wa syafiina wa maulana Muhammaddin, wa’ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in amma ba’du.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished Guests of the Mujahadah Kubro in Commemoration of 100 years of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU),

As people of faith, let us never cease to offer our praise and gratitude to Allah SWT, the Almighty God, the Great God, the owner of the universe. To Him alone we pray, and to Him alone we turn for help. May blessings and peace be upon our noble leader, the great Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of God, who has granted us religion and civilization until the end of time.

Distinguished Rais Aam (Supreme Leader) of Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) Kiai Haji Miftachul Akhyar and all of his deputies,

Distinguished Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council who is also Deputy Rais Aam of PBNU Kiai Haji Anwar Iskandar,

Chairperson of Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board Kiai Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf and all members of PBNU,

Distinguished Rais Aam Syuriah (Supreme Leader of the Steering Council) of East Java Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU) Kiai Haji Anwar Manshur,

Secretary General of Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board Saifullah Yusuf, who is also known as Gus Ipul, who is the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia,

Honorable Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia Ahmad Muzani,

Chairperson of East Java PWNU Kiai Haji Abdul Hakim Mahfudz,

Governor of East Java, who is also the Chairperson of NU Muslimat Advisory Board, Hajah Khofifah Indar Parawansa,

Distinguished people of East Java,

Chairperson of NU Muslimat Executive Board, who is also the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection Arifatul Khairi Fauzi,

Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces, Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Heads of Government Agencies, Vice Ministers, and all members of the Red and White Cabinet in attendance, whose name I will not mention one by one, with all due respect.

Should I name everyone in attendance?

Distinguished ulemas, religious scholars and leaders, Islamic students, leaders of Islamic organizations, members of the regional boards of Nahdlatul Ulama, leaders of Islamic boarding schools, leaders of NU agencies and bodies,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Honored Guests blessed by Almighty God who are here at the event of Mujahadah Kubro [in commemoration of] one century of Nahdlatul Ulama.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for the honor of being here amongst all of you, at this very special, very noble event, the Mujahadah Kubro for one century of Nahdlatul Ulama. Thank you very much for the warm welcome you gave me. Every time I stand amongst Nahdlatul Ulama, I am always happy.

I am always excited because I feel peace. I sense the sincerity that moves your hearts. I feel the spirit of unity, harmony, and eagerness to bring peace. I feel hope. I feel hope for a just nation [and] state, especially after I know firsthand how strong the hands of the women of NU are. The power of these women is incredible! Thank you for the invitation. Every time I stand amongst Nadhlatul Ulama, amongst Islamic students, amongst Islamic scholars (kiais)—especially these great kiais and ulemas behind me—I feel much braver to be devoted to, to serve, and to defend all people of Indonesia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One hundred years of NU’s dedicated journey has proven that NU is truly a pillar of our nation’s greatness. Every time the country is in a dangerous situation, NU comes to rescue.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our country’s proclamation of independence, our country’s proclamation of independence, yes, on 17 August 1945, took place in Jakarta. It was proclaimed in Jakarta, but the test for independence took place in East Java, specifically in Surabaya, during the battle in Surabaya and its surrounding areas. During the battle, we Indonesians succeeded in maintaining our independence by fighting against the great countries of the world. We managed to fight against the British, the winners of the Second World War. The people of East Java, the people of Surabaya, led by kiais and ulemas, have proven that Indonesia is a nation that refuses to submit to anyone who wants to colonize us.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

NU has always served as an example. NU always makes efforts to maintain unity, and that is history. No nation becomes strong, no nation can advance if the leaders do not stand in harmony. For that reason, I always ask everyone to unite. We can compete, we can oppose each other, we can be different, we can have a debate, but in the end, all leaders in Indonesia, all leaders of the society must stand in harmony and maintain unity and integrity.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests,

Human history has taught us that prosperity is not possible without peace, and peace is not possible if leaders do not stand in unity, harmony, or solidarity. Leaders at every level, political leaders, economic leaders, intellectual leaders, they all must think, think, think, strive, and serve for the interest of the people of Indonesia. A leader must not be vengeful, a leader must not be hateful, a leader must not be envious, and a leader must not excessively look for others’ flaws. Our teachers, our kiais, our ancestors have taught us to always mikul duwur mendem jero (honor and uphold others’ dignity while burying their shortcomings deeply). There must not be hatred, there must not be grudges. Being different is not a problem. We can find ways to unite, find similarities. Deliberation to reach consensus; that is the personality of our nation.

I apologize for getting too excited. In front of the people of East Java, especially the people of NU, I must show enthusiasm, right? Ladies and Gentlemen, you have been here for hours. Extraordinary! That is why I will keep my remarks short. Can I not do that? Are you not hot? Well then, I beg your pardon to drink coffee, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The point of my being here is to thank Nahdlatul Ulama. Thank you, kiais and ulemas. Thank you to all the great people, the great family of Nahdlatul Ulama. I thank NU for playing its role to safeguard peace and stability in the Republic of Indonesia .

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have served as President of the Republic of Indonesia since 20 October 2024. I took an oath in front of everyone to implement the 1945 Constitution. The Constitution stipulates that the first national mandate, the first national purpose is to protect all the people of Indonesia—to protect.

I received the mandate. I received the mandate, and I interpret protecting all the people of Indonesia means protecting them from all sorts of threats, be it physical, poverty, hunger, health risks, or the unavailability of good education for all Indonesian people. That is my primary duty.

I also interpret the duty as to maintain and protect all resources that belong to the people of Indonesia. I have taken an oath before the Almighty that I will be loyal to the nation and people of Indonesia, for as long as I am alive. Only by managing our resources can we truly prosper.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After I took office as president, I learned all the data, facts, and situations. It turned out that our nation was blessed with extraordinary wealth by the Almighty. I say it wherever I go: the question is whether Indonesian elites are clever enough to keep this wealth. Apparently, I discovered that too much of our resources that we failed to keep, too much of the state’s resources were stolen. Too much of Indonesia’s wealth has been taken from our land. Too much of our wealth has been taken abroad.

We must not be afraid. We must not be hesitant to say what is true as true and what is wrong as wrong. We must not hesitate. The Government that I lead, and I will not hesitate to fight against all sorts of corruption, all sorts of frauds, all sorts of manipulations, and all sorts of robberies of the wealth of the people of Indonesia. I will not hesitate and I will not take a single step back.

I feel your hope. I feel it from the look in the eyes of that woman. I feel the hope in the heart of mothers, the hope in the heart of every parent, the hope that an independent Indonesia will be a just Indonesia, a prosperous Indonesia. We must unite. We must be determined to eradicate poverty from the face of Indonesia.

And if we are brave, if we are clever, if we are determined, insha Allah, our resources will be enough for all the people of Indonesia to live in prosperity. I have proven it, the Government has proven it. Once we took over the Government, we ensured that fertilizers reached all farmers equally and in sufficient quantities at lower prices.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Alhamdulillah, for the first time in the history of our republic, the rice supply in our warehouses has set a record high in the Republic of Indonesia. Since 31 December 2025, Indonesia has reached rice self-sufficiency, and insha Allah, in a little while, we will achieve corn self-sufficiency, and insha Allah, in three years, we will achieve self-sufficiency in all food, Ladies. We are determined to reduce food prices for all people of Indonesia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As of today, we have fed more than 60 million beneficiaries across Indonesia. In less than 1.5 years, we were able to feed 60 million children, women, and senior citizens. Insha Allah, before the end of 2026, the figure will go up to 82.3 million beneficiaries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are also determined to create more jobs for the people of Indonesia. We will also lead the industrialization of the people of Indonesia. In 2-3 years, we will revive all our industries. We truly desire to be a developed country where all Indonesian people enjoy decent advancement and a good quality of life. We will build millions of affordable houses for all our people in need.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

That is all I would like to convey, although I have too much to say. The point is that I want to say here, before the ulemas, before the big family of NU, that for the first time, Indonesia had the honor of receiving the right to own land in the holy city of Makkah. We will establish a hajj village in Makkah for hajj pilgrims and those performing umrah. I guarantee that all pilgrims will get decent accommodation, a decent place. There is no need to doubt. The service will be the best. And I intend to lower hajj fees for the people of Indonesia. This is the first time in history that the Government of Saudi [Arabia] allowed another nation to own land in the holy city of Makkah.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

They changed their legislation specifically to honor Indonesia. Because of us, many other countries follow suit. Insha Allah, Indonesia’s hajj village is the first that we will establish. We aim to have a good hajj village in three years. In a few months, we will have approximately 1,000 rooms, but we will continue to build it.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I extend my congratulations to all Muslims who will soon observe the holy month of Ramadan. Insha Allah, we will pass through this blessed month in a state of peace, calm, and sufficiency for every family. Rest assured, the Government that I lead will always prioritize the interests of the Indonesian people. The interests of the people stand above all other interests. That is all I wish to convey.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let us remain united in prayer and in earnest effort, so that our nation may always be under the protection of Allah SWT, and be kept away from division, from disaster, and from all attempts to create unrest or anxiety among the people. Let us also unite in prayer and endeavor so that the coming month of Ramadan may bring tranquility, serenity, peace, and unity.

To conclude, congratulations on the centenary of Nahdlatul Ulama. May Nahdlatul Ulama continue to expand its contributions in educating, advancing prosperity, fostering unity, and safeguarding peace in the life of our nation. May Nahdlatul Ulama always set an example in upholding tolerance among all religious communities. I was deeply moved to hear the organizing committee chair say how, here in East Java, in the city of Malang, churches have also helped ensure the success of this event. Remarkable! The teachings of NU’s great figures throughout history, including Gus Dur, have always instilled in us that NU will forever safeguard peace in Indonesia and protect all people and all faiths without discrimination. Ladies and Gentlemen, we may be different, but we must live together in harmony.

That is all I wish to convey. Once again, thank you, Nahdlatul Ulama, for always remaining faithful in upholding the dignity and greatness of our nation.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

May Allah SWT always protect us all and accompany you, Ladies and Gentlemen, in the days to come. Thank you for your kind attention. Thank you for the warm welcome extended to me and my entourage. With that, I take my leave. I bid you farewell and sincerely apologize if any of my words have been less than pleasing to you all.

I thank you all.

(DH/MMB)