Gus Kikin Leads PBNU, Bang Azran: NU Must Be a Moral and Economic Force for the People

31 August 2026 oleh admin

Jakarta, dpd.go.id — Member of the DPD RI/MPR RI from the DKI Jakarta electoral district, Achmad Azran, who is familiarly called Bang Azran, welcomed the election of KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz (Gus Kikin) as the General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU).

According to Bang Azran, the new leadership of PBNU comes at a crucial moment when NU is required not only to maintain the traditions of ulama and national values, but also to increasingly provide real solutions to economic problems and the welfare of society.

"NU possesses extraordinary social capital. It has Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), madrasas (Islamic schools), universities, cooperatives, micro, and small businesses (MSMEs), and a network of religious leaders (kyai) and congregations spread throughout Indonesia. If this strength is properly consolidated, NU will not only be the guardian of the nation's morals but can also be a driving force for the economic empowerment of the people," said Bang Azran on Monday (31/8/2026).

He believes Gus Kikin has the capacity to steer PBNU in this direction because he possesses a blend of religious traditions, organizational experience, and understanding of the business world. This combination, according to Bang Azran, is crucial to ensuring that the grand idea of religious independence remains a mere discourse but is translated into measurable programs that are directly felt by the community.

Bang Azran also saw that President Prabowo Subianto's hope that NU would continue to contribute to maintaining stability, peace, justice, and prosperity must be answered with concrete work.

"The President's message is very clear: development must bring justice and prosperity that reaches down to the grassroots. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has a very strong network to ensure this spirit becomes a concrete movement. Islamic boarding schools must not only be centers of education, but also become stronger as centers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community economic development," he emphasized.

The Chairman of the DPP FORKABI added that, as a father of four children and grandfather of three grandchildren, NU's greatest strength since its inception has not solely been its organizational structure, but rather its closeness to the community. Therefore, he hopes Gus Kikin's leadership will strengthen NU's position as a large, peaceful, inclusive home capable of embracing all elements of the nation.

"NU is an important part of Indonesia's national architecture. When NU is morally strong, organizationally mature, and economically independent, then those who benefit are not only NU citizens, but Indonesia as a whole," said Bang Azran.

Bang Azran hopes that the new PBNU leadership can open up wider collaboration with the government, business world, universities, Islamic boarding schools, community organizations, and various elements of civil society.

As a member of the DPD RI/MPR RI, Bang Azran stated that he is ready to build communication and synergy with the PBNU management under the leadership of Gus Kikin, especially in promoting public policies that strengthen community empowerment, Islamic boarding school education, the people's economy, and equitable development.

"Congratulations to Gus Kikin. We hope that his leadership will bring PBNU to be more stable, strong, independent and productive. NU has a long history of safeguarding Indonesia. Going forward, our task is to ensure that this great legacy continues to live on and provide wider benefits for the nation," concluded Bang Azran.(*)