Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah: Remembering the Leader of Fatayat NU

Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah, the Chairwoman of the Executive Board of Fatayat Nahdlatul Ulama and a Commissioner at the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), died Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Fatmawati Hospital in Jakarta. She was 46.

The news was confirmed by her husband, KH Abdullah Masud, who also serves as the Chairman of the Tangerang Selatan branch of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU), according to reports.

Maimunah had been receiving medical care at Sari Asih Hospital since February 15, 2026, following her attendance at the Yasmin Annual Member Meeting. Despite her declining health, she continued to represent Fatayat NU, appearing in uniform—a testament to her unwavering dedication to the organization, sources reported.

Colleagues and friends remember Maimunah as a devoted member of the Nahdliyah tradition, tirelessly working on cadre consolidation, women’s issues, and social advocacy. Her commitment extended beyond domestic concerns, encompassing international networking for Fatayat NU.

Alissa Wahid, a family friend, highlighted Maimunah’s deep roots within the Nahdlatul Ulama tradition. Maimunah was the daughter of Hj Lilik Chodijah binti KH Aziz Bisri bin KH Bisri Syansuri, making her the niece of Alissa Wahid, whose father was KH Abdurrahman Wahid, known as Gus Dur.

Wahid emphasized that Maimunah’s organizational journey was not sudden, but a product of long-term cadre development beginning in her youth. “Mbak Margaret was one of the most active members of the Denanyar Islamic Boarding School family in NU from a young age. She grew through a process of cadre training, starting with IPPNU and eventually becoming Chairwoman of Fatayat NU,” Wahid stated.

Wahid described Maimunah as an exemplar of an active, accomplished, and dedicated Nahdliyah figure. “If you want to find an example of a Nahdliyah person who is active, accomplished, and truly dedicated to the community, Mbak Margaret is one of them,” she said.

Maimunah dedicated the majority of her time to serving Fatayat NU, attending cadre forums at regional levels, ensuring the quality of leadership training, and building networks both domestically and internationally.

In addition to leading Fatayat NU from 2022-2027, Maimunah served as Chairwoman of KPAI, consistently advocating for child protection and the strengthening of family roles in education and upbringing.

Wahid, a family psychologist and leader of the Gusdurian Network, which promotes humanitarian and national values, shared a similar commitment to service within the Nahdlatul Ulama tradition.

Maimunah is survived by her husband and one child. Her passing leaves a significant void within Nahdlatul Ulama and Fatayat NU, but her legacy of dedication to women and children will continue to inspire future generations of Nahdliyin.