End PBNU Conflict, 35th NU Congress Seen as Chance for Unifying Leadership

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Young Figure, HRM Khalilur R. Abdullah Sahlawiy or Gus Lilur

SURABAYA - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Young Figure, HRM Khalilur R. Abdullah Sahlawiy or Gus Lilur, assessed that the prolonged conflict in the Nahdlatul Ulama General Board (PBNU) had caused concern among Nahdliyin residents. According to him, the continued disputes at the elite level of the organization have the potential to disrupt the solidity and dignity of the jam'iyah.

Gus Lilur said the majority of NU residents want their leaders to once again prioritize unity. Moreover, after the achievement of Islah Lirboyo, which had raised hopes that the internal dynamics of PBNU would subside.

"The majority of NU residents do not want their leaders to continue to fight. After Islah Lirboyo, many hope that the conflict will end, but until now the tension is still ongoing," said Gus Lilur, Saturday, June 27.

According to him, the conflict that is developing in the PBNU environment cannot be seen as only a problem of relations between the PBNU General Chair KH Yahya Cholil Staquf with the PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul.

He admitted that he had tried to trace the dynamics of NU's internal dynamics from various periods of management. From the results of the search, Gus Lilur argues that there is a pattern that continues to recur in every phase of organizational conflict.

"From the historical research I have done, I see a pattern that keeps emerging. This is certainly my personal view as a NU citizen who tries to do tabayun against the organization's journey," he said.

In his view, one of the figures who often appears in various dynamics is Rais Aam PBNU KH Miftahul Akhyar.

Gus Lilur emphasized that this view was not intended as a form of slander or personal attack. According to him, evaluating the track record of the figures is a natural thing ahead of the 35th NU Congress as part of the process of determining the direction of the organization's leadership.

"I don't mean to slander anyone. I just want to open a perspective based on the historical journey so that Nahdliyin citizens can assess what kind of figure is needed to lead PBNU into the future," he said.

He then reviewed the journey of KH Miftahul Akhyar's structural career in the NU environment. According to Gus Lilur, KH Miftahul Akhyar started his career as the Rais Syuriah of the Surabaya PCNU in the 2000-2005 period when the Chairman of the Tanfidziyah of the Surabaya PCNU was held by KH Asep Saifuddin Chalim.

Gus Lilur said, based on various stories that developed among the Surabaya nahdliyin, their relationship was colored by differences in views in managing the organization until finally KH Miftahul Akhyar was entrusted to carry out the mandate as Rais Syuriah PWNU East Java.

Furthermore, at the provincial level, KH Miftahul Akhyar accompanied KH Mutawakkil Alallah who served as the Chairman of the East Java PWNU in the 2007-2018 period.

According to Gus Lilur, a number of NU figures in East Java reassessed the emergence of differences in views regarding the division of authority between the Syura and Tanfidziyah. He said that the dynamics then led to the transfer of KH Miftahul Akhyar to the management of PBNU.

At the national level, KH Miftahul Akhyar served as Deputy Rais Aam of PBNU assisting KH Ma'ruf Amin during the leadership of PBNU General Chair KH Said Aqil Siradj for the 2015-2020 period.

Gus Lilur said, after KH Ma'ruf Amin became Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia in 2019, KH Miftahul Akhyar served as Acting Rais Aam PBNU before finally being elected as Rais Aam in the 34th NU Congress in Lampung in 2021 in pairs with PBNU General Chair KH Yahya Cholil Staquf.

However, according to him, the conflict occurred again during the management period and even more open to the public.

"Of course it is unfair if all the mistakes are blamed on one person. NU's large organizational conflicts are influenced by many factors, ranging from differences in vision, communication, political dynamics, to the struggle for influence around the organization's center," he said.

However, Gus Lilur assessed that the pattern of repeated conflicts was worthy of being evaluated ahead of the next NU Congress.

He believes that NU needs a leader figure who is able to become a glue for all elements of the organization, prioritizing modesty, simplicity, and the spirit of unity.

"NU needs a leader who is able to unite, not add fragmentation. The leadership needed is one that is able to care for the unity of all Nahdliyin citizens," said Gus Lilur.

He also alluded to the figures of the previous Rais Aam such as KH Ahmad Siddiq and KH Sahal Mahfudz who he considered remembered for their exemplary, simplicity, and ability to maintain organizational unity.

According to Gus Lilur, the 35th NU Congress is an important momentum to present leadership that is able to end the prolonged conflict in the organization.

"NU is a large organization that has a strategic role for the nation. Therefore, it is time for the next leadership to focus more on strengthening unity rather than being preoccupied by conflicts among elites," he concluded.