Nahdlatul Ulama Leader Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah Dies at 48

Jakarta, Indonesia – Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah, the General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Fatayat Central Leadership, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Fatmawati Hospital in Jakarta. She was 48 years old.

The news of her death circulated rapidly within Nahdliyin WhatsApp groups and was confirmed by Muarofah, Chairman of PC Fatayat NU Kendal.^[1]

A Dedicated Leader and Advocate

“Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. The Chairman of KPAI and General Chair of PP Fatayat NU, Friend of Hj Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah, has passed away at Fatmawati Hospital, today, Sunday 1 March 2026 at 08.25 WIB,” Muarofah stated.^[1]

Colleagues and peers have expressed deep sorrow and offered prayers for her soul. Secretary of PC Fatayat NU Kendal, Evanaimatul, described her as a “dedicated and militant leader” in the fight for the rights of women and children.^[1]

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) also mourned her loss, stating, “Today we lost a leader, mother and role model who meant so much to us at the Indonesian Child Protection Commission.”^[1] KPAI highlighted her steadfast commitment to child protection in Indonesia, noting her dedication, concern, and invaluable advice.

Background and Career

Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah was born on May 11, 1978, in Jombang, East Java, to KH Mohammad Faruq and Hj Lilik Chodijah Aziz Bisri.^[1] She received her basic education in an Islamic boarding school environment, studying at the Denanyar Jombang Islamic Boarding School from middle school through high school.

She continued her education at IAIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya and later pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Indonesia in the Women’s Studies Study Program, completing her studies in 2009.^[1]

Throughout her life, Maimunah demonstrated a strong commitment to organizational leadership. She was active in student organizations, serving as Chair of the PMII Women’s Corps (Kopri PMII) Rayon Adab (2000–2001) and Chair of the South Surabaya Branch of the PMII Adab Commissariat (2001–2002).^[1]

Within IPPNU, she held positions as General Secretary (2006–2009) and General Chair (2009–2012).^[1] Her career progressed to Fatayat NU, where she served as Deputy Coordinator for Economic Affairs (2009–2015) and General Secretary (2015–2020) before becoming General Chair of PP Fatayat NU.^[1]

Maimunah also served as a KPAI Commissioner for two terms, from 2017–2022 and 2022–2027, and was affiliated with the Women Research Institute (WRI), an organization focused on research and advocacy related to women’s issues.^[1]

Nahdlatul Ulama, founded in 1926, is the largest Islamic organization in the world, with over 108 million members as of 2019.^[1]