Unsigned Risalah Triggers Controversy, Gus Hasib Asks For Clarification And Islah

The caretaker of the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School, Jombang KH Mohammad Hasib Wahab Chasbullah, in Jombang, East Java. (ANTARA)

JOMBANG The son of one of the founders of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Jombang, East Java, KH Mohammad Hasib Wahab Chasbullah, encouraged the existence of islah or peace related to the polemic of the circulation of digital meeting minutes containing demands for the dismissal of PBNU General Chair KH Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya). He assessed that the document caused a commotion because it did not go through a clear and legitimate mechanism in the organization.

Hasib, who is the son of NU founder KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah, regretted the circulation of the minutes without verification and without complete signature of the relevant officials. He emphasized that so far NU did not recognize the dismissal of the general chairman through digital documents without legal procedures.

"We are concerned that there is information that is not solidly accepted so that such a message occurs. There should be tabayun, explaining all the information from the accused party," he said, quoted by Antara, Monday, November 24.

According to him, the digitally distributed minutes did not contain the signature of Katib Aam PBNU as it should be. "The letter must have the signatures of Rais Aam and Katib Aam. Otherwise, it means that it is not yet legal as an organizational decision," said the caretaker of the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School.

Hasib also encouraged the resolution of problems through the mechanism of deliberation of the senior kiai and dzurriyyah (derivatives) founders of NU. "In the future, God willing, as a dzurriyyah will discuss to try out islah. There must be peace efforts for the sake of NU to be better," he said.

This polemic emerged after circulating the minutes of the PBNU Syuriyah daily meeting on November 20, 2025, which said it contained a request for Gus Yahya to resign from his position. However, the document was questioned because it was not fully signed according to the rules and had not been officially submitted to the party concerned.

Meanwhile, PBNU General Chair Gus Yahya emphasized that he had no intention of resigning from the mandate of the organization he obtained through the 34th Congress. "The mandate is valid for five years and will be carried out in full," he said.

Gus Yahya added that until now he had not received any official letter regarding the push to resign. "Documents circulating must be verified for validity," he said.