Between MUI And Nahdlatul Ulama: The Story Of Miftachul Akhyar Avoids Multiple Positions

Rais Aam PBNU, Miftachul Akhyar. (ANTARA PHOTO/Zabur Karuru)

JAKARTA - Miftachul Akhyar is widely known as a senior cleric of Nadhlatul Ulama (NU). His career as a scholar is unquestionable. His popularity also increased when replacing Ma'ruf Amin as Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

He carried out his position well. However, his leadership at MUI did not last long. The man who is familiarly called Kiai Miftah was chosen as Rais Aam, the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) for the 2021-2026 era. This result made him not want concurrent positions. Miftachul chose to resign from MUI.

The position of Chairman of the MUI was questioned when Ma'ruf Amin participated in the 2019 presidential election. Ma'ruf is believed to have immediately resigned from the chairman of the MUI to stay away from potential conflicts of interest. However, Ma'ruf did not do so.

Ma'ruf actually revealed that he would resign if he won the presidential election. Even though Ma'ruf only really released the position of Chairman of the MUI in November 2020. The election for the General Chairperson which was just held at the X MUI National Conference (Munas) at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, on November 27, 2020.

Miftachul Akhyar officially became the General Chair of the MUI for the 2020-2025 period. Miftachul is not a new cleric figure. His Footsteps as a scholar are evidenced by his active activities in NU. He has won many positions the last time he served as Rais Aam PBNU in the 2018-2020 era.

Miftachul's election was not without reason. The MUI management considers Miftachul to be a figure capable of bringing Muslims far from harm. Miftachul is believed to be able to carry out his role as a servant of the people and government partners.

Miftachul moved. He tried to carry out his commitment to make MUI an example. Take for example when MUI actively provides input to the government regarding the implementation of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andil besar Miftachul made Muslims no longer confused by changes in worship patterns when the pandemic began to threaten lives. The role was appreciated by many parties.

"Intelligence in responding to and realizing that we are realized, being born as ulama is carrying out a task. The task (ulama) is an enlightenment. How do we develop the makruf, what kind of model is it. Right inside the makruf there are da'wah values. Da'wah to close people, others with distant people, people just call to close people, hi (noise), but if you are far away, let's (noise) so that this voice arrives.

"The point is (the voice) is there. But, there are no faces that are cool (galak), rough, there are differences. It must be distinguished. Not the close ones, which are far equalized. Those who are still da'wah people, people who still need to be trained, need to be grown up in Islam, different from the people of ijabah. Almost (the majority) today we are da'wahs. Even though he is Muslim, maybe Muslim too. But because of the situation, the enthusiasm to deepen knowledge has decreased, it could be that," said Miftachul after being elected as Chairman of the MUI as quoted by the Republic page, November 27, 2020.

Miftachul's leadership at MUI did go well. However, his leadership at MUI was briefly counted. Miftachul chose to participate in the 34th NU Congress in Lampung in December 2021. Miftachul was then elected Rais Aam PBNU for the 2021-2026 term.

Rais Aam himself is the highest leader in the ranks of the syuriyah (business body) consisting of large and senior kiai. This position made Miftachul aware of himself. He did not want to hold concurrent positions, as Chairman of the MUI as well as Rais Aam NU.

He decided to resign immediately from the Chairman of the MUI. He did not want concurrent positions. Miftachul also understands that there are no special rules that emphasize that he cannot hold concurrent positions. Concurrent positions are legal.

Miftachul has his own views. He considered holding two roles in two large organizations not easy. Not to mention that there will be potential conflicts of interest. As a result, Miftachul's intention to resign was solid.

Surat pengunduran dirinya sudah diterima oleh jajaran MUI awal tahun 2022. Namun, akan melalui proses hingga nanti ada pemilihan Ketua MUI yang baru. Pilihan Miftachul tak korban jabatan dilanjikan banyak pihak.

The decision was respected by NU and MUI. His position as Chairman of the MUI was replaced by Anwar Iskandar. Recently, the role of Mif Tachul as Rais Aam became increasingly popular because he led the removal of the General Chairperson of PB Nahdlatul Ulama, Yahya Cholil Staquf in November 2025.

"During the halli wal aqdi (Ahwa) 34th NU congress agreed to my appointment as Rais Aam, there was a suggestion so that I would not hold concurrent positions. I immediately answered 'na wa atha'na (we listened and we obeyed). That answer (self-resignation), not because of the proposal, let alone pressure," Miftachul said as quoted on the website. , March 9, 2022.