Chairman of Indonesia’s Largest Muslim Organization Pressured to Resign Over Pro-Zionist Stance
Internal memo reveals pressure on Yahya Cholil Staquf to step down over Zionist-linked speaker, governance concerns, and ethical violations
Indonesia, PUREWILAYAH.COM - A major internal dispute has erupted inside Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)—the world’s largest Muslim organization—after a leaked internal document showed that its top religious council has formally urged the group’s chairman, Yahya Cholil Staquf (Gus Yahya), to resign.
The memo, which circulated widely on Indonesian social media and was reported by ANTARA News Agency on November 21, 2025, details the conclusions of a meeting held by the Syuriyah Council, NU’s highest religious authority. The Syuriyah operates as the organization’s spiritual and supervisory body, separate from the executive board.
Gus Yahya currently serves as Chairman of PBNU (Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama)—the national executive leadership of NU.
Council Lists Three Grounds for Requesting Gus Yahya’s Resignation
1. Invitation of Zionist-Linked Speaker to NU Leadership Academy
The council criticized the decision to invite a speaker allegedly connected to international Zionist networks to the Akademi Kepemimpinan Nasional NU (AKN NU)—the National Leadership Academy, the highest cadre formation within NU.
According to the memo, the move violated:
NU’s core Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah An-Nahdliyah values
The preamble of NU’s foundational charter, the Qanun Asasi
This decision was deemed especially inappropriate amid ongoing international condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
2. Violation of NU’s Organizational Ethics and Conduct Rules
The Syuriyah referenced Article 8(a) of NU’s internal regulation Peraturan Perkumpulan NU No. 13/2025, which governs dismissal procedures for officials.
The article allows for non-honorary dismissal of officials who commit actions that “harm the reputation of the organization.”
The council argued that bringing a Zionist-linked figure into NU’s most elite training program meets this criterion.
3. Concerns Over Financial Governance at PBNU
The memo also cites alleged irregularities in PBNU’s financial management, suggesting potential violations of:
Islamic legal principles (hukum syara’)
Indonesian state regulations
NU’s internal bylaws (Articles 97–99 of the ART NU)
Higher-level NU organizational regulations
The council warned that such issues could jeopardize NU’s legal standing as a registered Islamic association.
Council Gives Three Days for Voluntary Resignation
After reviewing the findings, the Rais Aam (Supreme Leader of NU’s Syuriyah Council) and his two deputies decided:
Gus Yahya must resign within three days of receiving the decision.
If he does not step down, the Syuriyah Council will initiate formal dismissal procedures.
The internal memo was signed by KH Miftachul Akhyar, the Rais Aam of NU.
PBNU Secretary-General Calls for Calm Across NU’s Nationwide Structure
In response to the growing controversy, PBNU Secretary-General Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) urged all NU members and administrators—from national to provincial (PWNU), district (PCNU), subdistrict (MWCNU), and grassroots branches (Ranting NU)—to remain calm.
“This is a normal internal organizational process handled by the Syuriyah according to NU’s established mechanisms,” Gus Ipul said, as quoted by ANTARA.
“I call on all members not to be swayed by misleading information or amplify misunderstandings.”
He emphasized that the matter remains an internal governance issue and should not be interpreted as an existential crisis for the organization. (PW)