Friday Pulpit at Al-Zaytun: An Honorable Stage for the Future Generation of Leaders
By Ali Aminulloh
Contributor to Jaya-News.com
From selection to appearing in front of thousands of worshipers, Al-Zaytun students are trained to appear confident in delivering sermons and the call to prayer in a forum that is in the public spotlight
Every Friday, the atmosphere at Al-Zaytun transforms into a grand stage that brings together spirituality, education, and character building for the younger generation. The Rahmatan lil Alamin Mosque, which stands majestically in the heart of the campus, is a place for students to offer their best for their religion and nation—through the sacred duties of being khatib, muezzin, and qari.
Not just any student can carry out this mandate. They are students who have been systematically, gradually, and with full dedication through a carefully designed educational process. The entire series of preparations for the Friday sermon are carried out by the highest-level students—a proof that Al-Zaytun is indeed worthy of the title of the nation’s cadre education center.
For Al-Zaytun, presenting students in strategic positions such as Friday preachers is not an easy decision. The Friday sermon forum is not only witnessed by thousands of worshipers from various circles—teachers, lecturers, students, Islamic boarding school students, parents, and guests who attend—but is also often highlighted by the media. Therefore, mental readiness, competence in reading Arabic scripts, skills in reading sermon texts, and speech rhetoric are the main provisions that must be possessed. It is no wonder that this moment is a source of pride as well as a big challenge for every student who is entrusted.
The process of preparing prospective preachers and Friday prayer officers is driven by OPMAZ (Al-Zaytun Student Organization), especially in the field of worship. They conduct selection based on willingness and ability, then compile a list of candidates for a full semester. There are two locations for the sermon: the Rahmatan lil Alamin Mosque and the Friendship Dormitory. The Rahmatan lil Alamin Mosque is for the entire community including MI students from grades 4-6. Friendship Dormitory specifically for students in grades 1 to 3 MI (Islamic Elementary School)
Every week, OPMAZ selects three main officers: khatib, muezzin, and qari. Specifically at the Friendship Mosque, one more is added, namely the vice imam. All qari candidates are specially trained by Ustaz Cecep Hilmi Amarullah, M.M., through a selective and in-depth selection process.
After OPMAZ determines the khatib and muezzin candidates, they submit the names to the Teachers’ Council. The training is carried out intensively by the supervising ustaz: Drs. Purnomo, M.Pd., Ust. Sujali, S.Ag., and Ust. Jalaluddin, S.Ag., as well as several other ustaz who patiently and diligently accompany the students. Training is carried out from Sunday night to Thursday night and finishing Friday morning. The training schedule includes after Maghrib at 18.30 WIB – 19.30 WIB. Especially on Thursday afternoons at 15.30 WIB – 17.30 WIB, and Friday mornings at 05.30 WIB – 06.30 WIB as the final maturation session.
The sermon script that is delivered is also written directly by the students. On Tuesday or Wednesday, the script must go to the supervisor for light editing. The editing process does not change the substance, but rather directs the improvement of diction, language choice, and rhetorical suitability. The final script is sent to the foundation and operator to be displayed on the digital screen during the sermon.
Ahead of the Friday implementation, the officers began preparing since 11.00 WIB. They went home from school early to make final preparations. At this moment, the values of discipline, punctuality, and peace of mind become an important part of the character building process. After the implementation, an evaluation is carried out by the supervisors to provide appreciation and correction. This evaluation not only assesses the results, but also becomes guidance for future improvements.
Interestingly, this student display information is sent to their parents as a form of appreciation for their sons’ achievements. In this way, Al-Zaytun not only educates students, but also builds a close emotional bond between the educational institution and the family.
The stages of a career as a preacher are also arranged in stages. A student must first perform at the Friendship Dormitory. If deemed mature and worthy, then he will be honored to perform at the Rahmatan lil Alamin Mosque. Of course this is a source of pride. They perform in front of thousands of worshipers consisting of Syaykh Al-Zaytun, exponents of the institution, lecturers, teachers, parents, students, and students from all levels.
This experience not only hones self-confidence and communication skills, but also forms a visionary leadership spirit. Here, the Friday pulpit is not just a place to preach, but a crucible to prepare leaders for the people and nation.
Epilogue:
At Al-Zaytun, Friday sermons are a symbol of comprehensive education: training courage, fostering knowledge,and forming a responsible soul.The process is long and full of challenges,but the result is a young generation that is ready to appear,daer speak the truth,and bring a message of peace.So it is very appropriate if Al-Zaytun continues to grow as an educational center that prepares Indonesian youth toward a healthy,intelligent,and humane society.*”
Gantar Indramayu,June 8,2025
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