The Forum Musyawarah Kubro at Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo in Kediri has urged both sides in the Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) to reconcile through islah to end the internal conflict. PBNU General Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf expressed his readiness to undergo examination on any accusations against him. This marks the third such meeting, highlighting deep concern over the organization's damaged reputation.
The Forum Musyawarah Kubro at Pondok Pesantren Lirboyo in Kediri, East Java, on Sunday, December 21, 2025, was attended by hundreds of representatives from Pengurus Wilayah NU (PWNU), Pengurus Cabang NU (PCNU), and Pengurus Cabang Istimewa NU (PCINU), both in person and online, along with leaders of NU institutions, autonomous bodies, and pesantren caretakers across Indonesia. This was the third forum, following previous meetings at Pesantren Al Falah in Kediri and Pesantren Tebuireng in Jombang.
Spokesperson KH Oing Abdul Muid stated that the internal PBNU conflict has undermined the marwah and wibawa of the jamiyah and eroded public trust in NU. "The Forum Musyawarah Kubro sees and feels directly how the conflict in the internal PBNU ranks has collapsed the marwah and wibawa of the jamiyah and has clearly eliminated the public trust that has been built in NU," he said.
The forum urged the Rais Aam and General Chairman of PBNU to pursue islah no later than 3x24 hours from December 21, 2025. If not, authority should be handed to Mustasyar NU to organize an Accelerated NU Congress in 2026 within the following 1x24 hours. If still refused, an Extraordinary Congress (MLB) would be held via support from 50 plus 1 percent of PWNU, no later than before the departure of the first hajj group in 2026.
On Monday, December 22, 2025, Gus Yahya, familiar name for Yahya Cholil Staquf, affirmed his submission to decisions from PWNU, PCNU, and mustasyar interpretations from the forum. He is open to examination and tabayun on any accusations with evidence and witnesses. "First, I am always open to being examined and tabayuned on whatever is accused against me, through any means, by presenting all necessary evidence and witnesses," he said. Gus Yahya also emphasized his desire for truth-based islah from the start. "From the first second, I have always wanted islah. I am ready for bina al-haq bina al-haq bina al-haq, not bina al-batil," he added.
The conflict involves differences between the syuriah ranks led by Rais Aam KH Miftahul Akhyar, who appointed KH Zulfa Mustofa as Acting General Chairman replacing Gus Yahya, and the tanfidziyah that supports islah.
