Rais Aam PBNU Condemns Elham Yahya's Prosperous Action To Kiss Small Children

Rais Aam The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Miftachul Akhyar when giving a statement at the Sunan Ampel State Islamic University (UINSA) Surabaya Thursday (13/11/2025). BETWEEN/Faizal Falakki

Rais Aam, Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Miftachul Akhyar, condemned the preacher Elham Yahya who was recorded kissing a small child and spread across a number of social media platforms.

"What kind of preaching if that's his behavior. When children were kissed like that, it was damaging," said KH Miftachul Akhyar, at the Sunan Ampel State Islamic University (UINSA) Surabaya, Thursday, November 13.

Kiai Miftach emphasized that this behavior could not be tolerated and asked the police to intervene immediately.

He considered that preachers who took such actions should not be given space to return to preaching even if necessary to be given sanctions as a deterrent effect.

Regarding PBNU's official stance, Kiai Miftach said that the organization had clearly criticized the action.

"PBNU's attitude is clear, what is the term, condemn it," he said.

He also emphasized that the authority to impose sanctions is not in the hands of NU because this institution cannot impose harsh sanctions, at least only administrative warnings and sanctions.

He appealed to law enforcement officials to be proactive in responding to and taking action on cases like this without having to wait for reports from other parties.

"So, the authorities also have to pick up the ball, there is no need for a report," he said.

So that similar incidents do not happen again, PBNU has formed a special task force to monitor and regulate ethics in preaching.