Post by : Rameen Ariff

Jakarta, November 22, 2025 – Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, has urged its chairman, Yahya Cholil Staquf, to resign amid controversy over an invitation he extended earlier this year. NU, the world's largest Islamic entity with roughly 100 million followers, has granted Staquf three days to step down or face removal from his post.

The uproar arose when Staquf invited American academic Peter Berkowitz, renowned for his staunch pro-Israel views, to an internal training session for NU in August. Berkowitz's public support for Israel's actions in Gaza and his critique of Palestinian leadership has attracted significant backlash from NU's leadership.

Concerns over potential financial mismanagement during Staquf’s leadership were also cited by NU. Najib Azca, an official of the organization, noted that inviting Berkowitz was deemed inappropriate given NU's historical support for Palestinian rights and Indonesia's official stance, which does not recognize Israel.

Staquf, in office since 2021, has expressed remorse over the incident, labeling it an oversight for not thoroughly vetting Berkowitz’s background. He has yet to provide additional comments regarding the situation.

Yusuf Saifullah, NU’s Secretary-General, has called on members to remain composed and not be swayed by misleading narratives, assuring that the senior leadership is managing the internal issue appropriately.

As the most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has consistently denounced Israel’s military actions in Gaza and advocates for a two-state solution regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. The invitation to Berkowitz, reflective of his supportive stance towards Israel, has raised eyebrows regarding the organization’s principles and Indonesia's diplomatic approach.

The unfolding situation has garnered considerable attention both within Indonesia and abroad, as NU seeks to navigate this internal dispute while preserving its international standing.

#Global