Syaykh Al-Zaytun Celebrates 80th Milad: A Garden of Knowledge and the Peak of Educational Imagination
INDRAMAYU, Jaya News.Com – Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School commemorated the 80th birthday of its founder, Syaykh Al-Zaytun Abdussalam Rasyidi Panji Gumilang, on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The event, themed “Grateful for Achievements and Continuing to Move Toward Progress”, brought together national and international figures to reflect on education, nationhood, and civilization building.
One of the keynote reflections was delivered by Drs. Amich Al Humami, M.Ed., Ph.D., a national academic and education figure. He highlighted Syaykh Al-Zaytun as a model of a lifelong learner.
“Not everyone maintains the spirit of learning as age increases. But at 80, Syaykh Al-Zaytun is still reading, studying, pursuing a doctoral degree, and expanding his intellectual horizons. A true educator must never stop learning,” Amich said.
Roots of Intellectual Tradition: From Gresik to Al-Zaytun
Amich traced the intellectual roots of Syaykh Al-Zaytun back to Gresik, East Java, a historic coastal center of Islamic scholarship, social movement, and trade. He noted that Gresik produced prominent ulama such as Kiai Fakih Maskumambang and academics like Prof. Dr. H. Ahmad Aqib Suminto.
“This coastal tradition of openness, dialogue, and adaptation became one of the foundations for Syaykh Al-Zaytun’s thinking. The geographical distance between Gresik and Al-Zaytun in Indramayu does not sever that intellectual connection,” he explained.
Amich also linked Al-Zaytun’s educational vision to the reformist tradition of West Sumatra, particularly Madrasah Thawalib, and to Pondok Modern Gontor, where Syaykh Panji Gumilang once studied. “There is a chain of ideas connecting West Sumatra, Gontor, Gresik, and Al-Zaytun. Each generation receives the legacy and develops it to answer new challenges,” he said.
The Peak of Creativity, Innovation, and Imagination
According to Amich, Al-Zaytun represents “the peak of creativity, the peak of innovation, and the peak of imagination.”
“Creativity is seen in new ideas. Innovation is seen in daring to build an education system beyond common patterns. Imagination is the ability to envision what does not yet exist and turn it into reality. Al-Zaytun goes beyond the horizon,” he stated.
He emphasized that Al-Zaytun is not measured by its grand buildings, but by the generation it produces. “The main product of education is not buildings, but human beings with competence, character, and a spirit of service.”
Education for Women and National Generation
Amich also praised Al-Zaytun’s commitment to educating both male and female students in one integrated campus. He connected this to the tradition of Madrasah Diniyah Putri in West Sumatra, which pioneered strong education for women.
Toward the end of his speech, Amich led prayers for Syaykh Al-Zaytun’s health and longevity. He quoted teachings on the virtues of different life stages, noting that at 80, one’s good deeds are accepted by Allah.
He also prayed for a new generation of Indonesians who master science and technology like Bung Karno, manage natural resources fairly like Mohammad Hatta, and uphold unity in diversity like Sjahrir, Agus Salim, and the founding ulama.
“May Al-Zaytun continue to be a garden of knowledge, a garden of tolerance, and a garden of civilization that benefits Indonesia and the world,” Amich concluded.
The Milad was attended by figures including Prof. Connie Rahakundini Bakrie, Gita Wirjawan, Prof. Dr. Ermaya Suradinata, and Sultan Paser XVIII of East Kalimantan, who expressed commitment to replicate the Al-Zaytun model in his region.**
Penulis : Dr. Ali Aminulloh
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