Indonesia
Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, a former businessman and great-grandson of the organization’s founder Hasyim Asy’ari, has emerged as the chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Muslim organization, following an internal rift stemming from conflicts over finances and mining concession.
President Prabowo Subianto (right) closes the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) congress on Aug. 31as newly elected supreme leader Miftahul Akhyar (center) and newly elected chairman Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, also known as Gus Kikin, look on at Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school in Jombang, East Java. (Antara/Syaiful Arif)
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has entrusted its leadership to East Java cleric Abdul Hakim Mahfudz through a historic indirect voting system intended to shield the organization from external influence, although the mechanism and its outcome have instead renewed concerns over political interference.Abdul, better known as Gus Kikin, was elected NU chairman for the next five-year term on Monday morning, the final day of the organization’s 35th national congress in Jombang, East Java.
Nine senior clerics on the Ahlul Halli Wal-Aqdi (AHWA) council unanimously selected Gus Kikin over four other nominated candidates, including outgoing chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf and deputy chairman Zulfa Mustofa.
