1 Syuro at Al Zaytun: National and Interfaith Figures Call for Unity for National Independence
By: Ali Aminulloh
Indramayu-Jayanews.com – Ma’had Al Zaytun once again held a commemoration of the Islamic New Year, 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah, or popularly known as 1 Syuro, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Mosque. The event, attended by thousands of participants from various regions, raised the theme “Strengthening Unity to Achieve National Independence in Facing Global Challenges.”
Present at the event were professors, academics, TNI officials, interfaith figures, community leaders, education figures, students, university students, and guests from within and outside the country. The presence of these diverse elements of society exemplified the spirit of unity, the main theme of this year’s commemoration.
The Chair of the Committee, Eji Anugrah Romadhon, S.S., M.AP., in his remarks stated that the theme for the 1st Muharram 1448 Hijriah commemoration was born from a series of profound thoughts and ideas from Sheikh Abdussalam Rasyidi Panji Gumilang regarding the importance of education as a primary instrument for building national progress and prosperity.
According to Eji, over the past year, Al Zaytun has consistently held training and symposiums on 21st-century education, featuring dozens of professors from various fields. From this intellectual process, the realization emerged that national independence can only be achieved through transformative, revolutionary, and future-oriented education.
He also reminded that the Indonesian nation is currently enjoying a peaceful atmosphere that must be utilized to build civilization, strengthen education, and prepare the nation’s next generation. Therefore, unity is a primary requirement for realizing Indonesia’s ideals of progress and prosperity.
On that occasion, Eji also conveyed the emotional state of the Al Zaytun community, who are still mourning the passing of the late Ustadz Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Halim, one of Al Zaytun’s pioneers and champions of education. He also prayed for the recovery of Sheikh Panji Gumilang, who is currently recovering.
Unity as the Nation’s Main Capital
In a series of remarks, Drs. Ch. Robin Simanullang, Senior Journalist for Tokoh Indonesia Magazine, stated that Al Zaytun has developed into a laboratory for Indonesian unity. He stated that the values of unity inherited from the nation’s founders are not merely slogans but are actually practiced in daily life within Al Zaytun.
Meanwhile, Drs. Amich Alhumami, M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D., Deputy for Human Development, Society, and Culture at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas for the 2022–2025 period and a member of the Higher Education Council of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology for the 2025–2029 period, emphasized that Indonesia was built by thinkers, educators, and scholars capable of making the seemingly impossible a reality. He believes education is a determining factor in building the nation’s future.
Dr. Ir. Johan Pasaribu, Chairman II of the National Alumni Association (IKABNAS) of the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas RI), highlighted the importance of building national independence through strengthening human resources, food security, and vocational education. He believes that Indonesia has extraordinary potential that must be managed professionally and with a nationalist approach.
From a national defense perspective, Colonel Inf. Dikdik Sadikin, Senior Military Operations Expert (OMP) for the III/Siliwangi Military Regional Commander, stated that unity is the main strength of the Indonesian nation in facing global economic dynamics, technological developments, socio-cultural changes, and various threats to national integrity.
Education and Independence for a Progressive Indonesia
Prof. Setyo Tri Wahyudi, S.E., M.Ec., Ph.D., Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Brawijaya University, expressed optimism for Indonesia’s future. He stated that Indonesia possesses vast human and natural resources, providing strong capital to become an independent and advanced nation.
A similar view was expressed by Ir. Ilham Aidit, Founder of the Forum Silaturahmi Anak Bangsa (FSAB), which focuses on global challenges such as trade wars, the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the climate crisis, and global geopolitical dynamics. He believes that unity is the key to ensuring Indonesia is not merely a spectator but a significant player on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kartini Istikomah, S.E., M.M., a lecturer at Budi Luhur University and Indonesian Ombudsman Commissioner from 2011 to 2016, expressed her appreciation for the practices of tolerance and diversity she witnessed firsthand at Al Zaytun. She believes education must be able to produce a generation with knowledge, skills, integrity, and a spirit of independence.
Patrick Winata, Founder of ELV8 Clinic and Strength and Conditioning Coach, delivered an inspiring message.Through the story of his struggle to set a Guinness World Record in humanitarian activities, he encouraged the younger generation to use the momentum of hijrah (migration) as a courageous opportunity to change, grow, and benefit others.
In the area of food security, Dr. Ir. Bagus Priyo Purwanto, M.Agr., along with a team from IPB University, emphasized that Indonesia is truly capable of achieving food self-sufficiency if it utilizes the potential of its resources and continues to develop innovations in agriculture and food technology.
Nurturing Harmony in Diversity
From an interfaith perspective, Rev. Dr. Amir Aritonang, M.Th., Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of Village Mission Care, believes that unity must be realized through concrete actions. According to him, Al Zaytun has demonstrated practices of living together that reflect the spirit of Pancasila and Indonesia’s diversity.
Rev. Wim Wairata, M.Th., Chairman of the Indonesian Student Service Institute (LPMI), emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between humans and the Creator, building transformative education, and strengthening togetherness as a solution to various global challenges.
Meanwhile, Ws. Gunadi Prabuki, S.Pd., M.Ag., Head of the Higher Education Division of the Indonesian Confucian Supreme Council, emphasized that diversity is a reality that must be managed through morality, integrity, and virtuous values to ensure the nation remains resilient in the face of changing times.
Dr. H. Fachrudin Zuhri, Drs., M.Si., Chair of the South Tangerang City Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), stated that Al Zaytun has demonstrated the practical application of the values of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). He believes that unity and harmony are the primary prerequisites for national progress.
Meanwhile, Rev. Ir. Danny Soepangat from Pasundan Menyembah called on all elements of the nation to build synergy across religions and groups to realize a more advanced, independent, and prosperous Indonesia.
From Malaysia, A. Ruzizan Maphilindo expressed his appreciation for the educational model and spirit of unity developed by Al Zaytun. He believes that Al Zaytun’s educational approach can inspire human resource development in the Southeast Asian region.
1st Syuro Speech
As the highlight of the event, Datuk Sir Imam Prawoto, KRSS, MBA, CRBC, Chairman of the Indonesian Islamic Boarding School Foundation, delivered the 1st Syuro Speech of 1448 Hijri.
In his speech, Datuk Sir Imam Prawoto emphasized that education is the primary instrument for strengthening unity and building national independence. He explained that Al Zaytun continues to develop an integrated boarding school education model that combines character building, nationalism, mastery of knowledge, and economic independence.
According to him, the idea of developing 500 integrated boarding school national education centers is a real contribution to accelerating Indonesia’s progress while strengthening national unity.
He also explained the various food security and sovereignty development programs currently being implemented by Al Zaytun, from the development of superior rice varieties to the cultivation of Kadu Hideng durian, as part of efforts to build economic independence based on education and agriculture.
On this occasion, Datuk Sir Imam Prawoto invited all attendees to pray for the recovery of Syaykh Abdussalam Rasyidi Panji Gumilang so that he recovers quickly and returns to leading Al Zaytun. He also led prayers for the late Ustadz Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Halim who had dedicated his life to the struggle for education and development of Al Zaytun.
Commemoration of 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah in Al Zaytun has finally become more than just a new year. This momentum becomes a space for the meeting of ideas, strengthening tolerance, national reflection, and strengthening a shared commitment to building an Indonesia that is united, independent, and able to face various global challenges.**
AA/Ed
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