Behind the Scenes of Mustasyar’s Silaturrahim

Seeing the recent PBNU polemics and dynamics, especially related to the PBNU Mustasyar Silaturrahim event in Tebuireng, Saturday (6/12/2025), I would like to convey a few notes about the story behind the scenes on this agenda.

The event started on Tuesday, December 2 2025, KH. Abdussalam Shohib (Gus Salam), KH. Athoillah Sholahuddin Anwar (Gus Atok), and one sowan companion to KH. Abdul Hakim Machfudz (Gus Kikin) to convey the results of the NU Masyayikh meeting at the Al-Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School on Sunday, November 30 2025.

Following up on the results of the meeting, Gus Salam and Gus Atok expressed the need to hold a meeting between Mustasyar and Rais ‘Aam and the General Chair of PBNU in Tebuireng.

The invitation format was delivered with a narrative dictated by Gus Salam explaining that the meeting in Tebuireng was a follow-up to the meeting in Ploso. For the signing, the names Sohibul Hajat, dr. KH. Umar Wahid, and Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School Caretaker, KH. Abdul Hakim Machfudz, and added at the bottom “also invited” KH. Anwar Mansur and KH. Nurul Huda Jazuli.

After I sent the invitation format to Gus Salam on Tuesday, December 2 at 10.47 WIB, he then asked that the list of invited guests be added to the letter attachment. I only received the guest list at 15.53 WIB.

Tebuireng Magazine

On Wednesday, 03 December at 07.52 WIB, Gus Salam ordered me to revise the list of Mustasyar names in the Appendix so that it matches the list of Mustasyar in the Invitation Letter to the PBNU Plenary Meeting which will be held on Tuesday-Wednesday, 09-10 December 2025.

He also asked for a change in the meeting time from Saturday, December 6 at 14.00 WIB, to 10.00 WIB, taking into account Prof. KH. Ma’ruf Amin must take off in the afternoon.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, December 3 at 13.32 WIB, Gus Salam conveyed information that Rais ‘Aam did not wish to be in the same forum as KH. Yahya C. Staquf. Therefore, Gus Salam ordered two meeting sessions to be held:

1. Saturday, December 6, 10.00 – 12.00 WIB: Mustasyar meeting with Rais ‘Aam.
2. Saturday, December 6, 13.00 – 15.00 WIB: Mustasyar meeting with KH. Yahya C. Staquf.

On the same day, at 19.09 WIB, Gus Salam contacted me by telephone and ordered me to send invitations to all Mustasyar as well as several Syuriyah and Tanfidziyah invitations on behalf of the Committee.

Before I sent letters to the names on the invitation list, on Wednesday, December 3 at 20.39 WIB, Gus Salam again ordered that Mustasyar’s guest list be revised. Originally Mustasyar’s list of invited guests was according to the PBNU Plenary Meeting letter, then replaced with the names of Mustasyar that he sent.

Then, on Wednesday at 21.19 WIB, I started distributing invitation letters to the entire list of invited guests.

Notes: Regarding the information conveyed by Gus Salam on Wednesday, December 3 at 13.32 WIB that Rais ‘Aam did not wish to be in the same forum as KH. Yahya C. Staquf, after cross-checking the Rais ‘Aam delegation who was present at Tebuireng, he confirmed that there had never been such a statement. On the other hand, Rais Aam proposed that the meeting be held in one assembly and not in separate sessions.

Writer: Denta Fatwa, Mustasyar Silaturrahim Contact Person, Khadim Caretaker of Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School
Editor: Rara Zarary