Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Opening Ceremony of the 35th Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Tambakberas, JombangRegency, East Java Province Thursday, August 27, 2026
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Alhamdulillahi robbil alamin, washolatu wassalamu ‘ala asrofil ambiya’i wal mursalin, wa ‘ala alihi wasohbihi ajma’in. Amma ba’du.
As people of faith, let us extend our praise and gratitude to Allah Almighty, the Greatest, the Omnipotent God. To Him alone do we pray, and from Him alone do we seek assistance. May peace and blessings be upon the Great Prophet Muhammad, Messenger of Allah, who has bestowed upon us religion and civilization that shall endure until the end of time.
Distinguished Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gibran Rakabuming Raka; the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhammad Jusuf Kalla; the 13th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, K.H. Professor Ma’ruf Amin; Ibu Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, wife of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia; Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia, Ahmad Muzani, and Vice Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono.
Distinguished Rais Aam of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, K.H. Miftachul Achyar, all members of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama; General Chairperson of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, K.H. Yahya Cholil Staquf, all members of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama; Deputy Rais Aam of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama and Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council, K.H. Anwar Iskandar; Deputy Rais Aam of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, K.H. Afifuddin Muhajir; Deputy Chairperson of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, K.H. Zulfa Mustofa; Advisory Council member of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama and former General Chairperson of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama from 2010 to 2021, K.H. Said Aqil Siradj; Secretary General of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, K.H. Ahmad Said Asrori, Secretary of the Syuriah Council of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, K.H. Abdul Ghaffar Rozin, Rais of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, Professor Mohammad Nuh, Treasurer of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, Gus Gudfan Arif, Chairperson of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, K.H. Amin Said Husni; General Chairperson of the East Java Regional Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, and leader of Tebu Ireng Islamic Boarding School, K.H. Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, Gus Kikin.
All leaders of the Islamic boarding schools who are present here, I apologize that I could not mention all of you. Al Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, K.H. Nurul Huda Djazuli; Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, K.H. Kafabihi Mahrus; Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, K.H. Hasib Wahab Hasbullah; Al Kautsar Al Akbar Islamic Boarding School in Medan, K.H. Ali Akbar Marbun; Bumi Shalawat Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, K.H. Agoes Ali Mashuri; Asrama Perguruan Islam Islamic Boarding School in Tegalrejo, Magelang, K.H. Yusuf Chudlori, Gus Yusuf; Mambaul Ma’arif Denanyar Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, K.H. Abdussalam Shohib, Gus Salam; Ora Aji Islamic Boarding School in Sleman, Gus Miftah Maulana; respected elder of Tambakberas, Jombang, Ibu Nyai Machfudhoh; Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, K.H. Abdul Razak.
Distinguished General Chairperson of the Executive Board of Muhammadiyah, Professor Haedar Nashir; distinguished Governor of East Java, who also serves as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Executive Board of Muslimat NU, Khofifah Indar Parawansa; distinguished Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, Chief of the Indonesian National Police, Heads of Agencies, Vice Ministers, and all members of the Red and White Cabinet, whom I could not mention one by one. The media are already waiting. We do not have much time.
Distinguished Kiai, members of the Advisory Council, Rais Syuriah, leaders of Islamic boarding schools, the Masyayikh and the Habaib, leaders and members of the extended Ansor family, Fatayat NU, Muslimat NU, all women leaders, distinguished members of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, the Regional Executive Boards of Nahdlatul Ulama, and the Branch Executive Boards of Nahdlatul Ulama; distinguished Kiai, Islamic scholars, Ibu Nyai, male and female students of the Islamic boarding schools, all distinguished guests and invitees; distinguished Ambassadors of friendly nations who are present here; members of the press, media representatives, and all Indonesian people following this event.
I would like to express my gratitude for the great honor bestowed upon me, as the eighth President of the Republic of Indonesia, to attend the 35th Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama. I did not arrange any of this. I do not understand it myself either, but we shall accept it all. It was mentioned earlier that the 36th Congress will be held in the year ’31, correct? This is the 35th, and later the 36th will be in ’31. Three plus six is nine, correct? Three, wait, wait, wait. The year ’31 is three plus one, which equals four. Nine plus four equals thirteen. Thus, I have two numbers that have always appeared in my life, eight and thirteen. But let us simply follow the will of the Almighty.
This is a great honor for me. Nahdlatul Ulama is a great institution that has made an extraordinarily significant contribution to the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Clear evidence of this is the song “Syubbanul Wathon,” which has now become a song of Nahdlatul Ulama. This song may be described as a patriotic song, a nationalist song, a song created by a religious community, yet its spirit is one of love for the homeland and an extraordinary spirit of nationalism. What is particularly remarkable for all of us, especially for the younger generation, is that this song was composed by K.H. Abdul Wahab Hasbullah more than a decade before the proclamation of independence. At that time, we did not yet know what form the country that would eventually be proclaimed would take. Even its name was not yet entirely clear. Yet religious leaders had the courage to create a song that was so deeply patriotic and so profoundly nationalist. More than a decade before the proclamation of independence, this song already existed.
“Beloved treasure of my heart, O my homeland. Your love resides within my faith. Do not allow your destiny to be obstructed. Rise, O my nation.”
Thus, the aspiration of the founders of Nahdlatul Ulama was for the Indonesian nation to rise, for Indonesia to stand on an equal footing with other nations of the world, and for Indonesia, through its rise, to become a respected nation. A respected nation is a nation that is just and prosperous. There is no nation that can be respected if it is not prosperous, and there can be no prosperity without justice. Ladies and gentlemen, therefore I am very proud today, I express my gratitude, and I shall not speak at length in this address. I wish you every success in the Congress.
Nahdlatul Ulama has always been present in the historical moments of this nation. During the crises faced by this nation, Nahdlatul Ulama has always been present, and Nahdlatul Ulama has played a decisive role in determining the stability, security, peace, and future of Indonesia. What Gus Yahya said was absolutely correct, as was what Kiai Hasib said. If this nation wishes to rise and wishes to remain secure, the government, the governing authorities, must always maintain close relations with Nahdlatul Ulama and with Muhammadiyah. There is only one matter, Gus Yahya. I have been asking you for a NU membership card for a long time, so you still owe me one. If possible, please provide it before the closing of the Congress. The closing of the Congress is on the 31st, correct? If there is a membership card, I shall come again on the 31st.
I believe that is essentially the substance of my address. Nahdlatul Ulama is an extraordinarily important national asset, as is Muhammadiyah. Do not forget this. Therefore, as President, as the holder of the mandate entrusted by the people, it is obvious that without the support of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, it would not have been possible for me to become the holder of the people’s mandate. And I have no hesitation whatsoever. I continually consider how I can further develop, strengthen, and empower Nahdlatul Ulama, the Islamic boarding schools of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah.
I would like to apologize to Nahdlatul Ulama. I sincerely apologize because I have only recently learned that many schools and Islamic boarding schools affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama have not yet received interactive display panels. This was an administrative problem. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education is not at fault in this matter because the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is responsible for the public schools. Schools under Nahdlatul Ulama are administered by the Minister of Religious Affairs, correct? There is no problem. Although the distribution has been delayed, every classroom in schools affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama will receive interactive display panels, just as all public schools will. Last year, every state school received one display panel for each classroom. This year, all state schools will receive an additional three interactive display panels. However, Nahdlatul Ulama will immediately receive four. Yes. Thus, my debt to Nahdlatul Ulama has been somewhat repaid. Yes, that is essentially the point. What else should I say? Long live Nahdlatul Ulama!
As a conclusion, I would like to convey my deepest respect to the Kiai and the Islamic scholars, because although the independence of the Indonesian nation was indeed proclaimed in Jakarta, the independence of Indonesia was tested in Surabaya. During the Battle of Surabaya in October and November 1945, the role of the Islamic scholars, the Kiai, and the Islamic boarding schools was extraordinarily significant, ladies and gentlemen. Therefore, I would like to recall what, if I am not mistaken, Bung Karno once said: “Jas merah, never, ever forget history.” I would like to say: “Jas hijau, never, ever forget the devotion of the Islamic scholars.” I extend my gratitude to all Islamic scholars, both those who are widely known and the village Kiai whose names may never have appeared on television, yet who every day safeguard the moral character of our children, preserve harmony within religious communities and harmony among religious communities, maintain peace in our villages, and pray for our nation without asking anything whatsoever from the state. Thank you. I extend my deepest respect to all of our Islamic scholars.
God willing, Indonesia will rise. I have served for almost two years as President of the Republic of Indonesia, and I express my gratitude for the support of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. Thank you. In less than two years, we have achieved significant accomplishments. We have achieved food self-sufficiency, and soon we will achieve energy self-sufficiency as well. God willing, before too long, we will no longer need to import such large quantities of fuel from anywhere. We have built tens of thousands of public kitchens under the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program. The Free Nutritious Meal program is now enjoyed by more than 62 million beneficiaries. The newly appointed Head of the National Nutrition Agency is also here with us. This is a young man with a strong heart. The Free Nutritious Meal program is a major undertaking. There are many challenges, and there are still many shortcomings, but we will resolve all of these shortcomings. What matters is that the benefits must reach all of our children, all pregnant women, and all elderly people. That is our determination. And before long, tens of thousands of Red and White Cooperatives will become operational. We will ensure that all goods subsidized for the people reach the people at the lowest possible prices, namely subsidized prices. Subsidized goods must not be traded, and they will not be traded.
Ladies and gentlemen, our accomplishments are considerable, but our challenges are numerous. There is the very severe El Niño weather phenomenon, as well as the challenges arising from the fact that we live across an archipelago that is extraordinarily prosperous but also subject to numerous natural challenges. Nevertheless, our country is strong, and it is becoming stronger. The blessings bestowed upon us by the Almighty are immense. I have seen the results we are achieving today. We have discovered extraordinary gas fields and gold deposits, demonstrating the immense wealth of our country. Ladies and gentlemen, believe me, within the next several years, Indonesia will rise extraordinarily, and there will be no one, absolutely no one, who will be able to hold us back. Ladies and gentlemen, what is important is that we must have the courage to eradicate corruption. We must have the courage to eradicate corruption because corruption has caused much of our wealth to disappear and be taken abroad. But we have begun to close those channels, and we have begun to put a stop to it. God willing, our nation will become even stronger. Through our savings and efficiency measures, we have already been able to save hundreds of trillions of rupiah. It is these funds that we are using to provide the greatest possible assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society.
That concludes my remarks. Thank you, Nahdlatul Ulama. Thank you, Kiai. Thank you, Ibu Nyai. Thank you, male and female students of the Islamic boarding schools. A strong Nahdlatul Ulama means a strong Indonesia. When Nahdlatul Ulama is united, Indonesia will be united. When Nahdlatul Ulama serves with wisdom, Indonesia will stand with dignity.
I thank you.
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(RI/MMB)