More Than Just a Tourist Attraction, This Is the Moment Al-Zaytun PAUD Teachers Open the ‘Veil’ for the Temiyang Sari Community
INDRAMAYU-JAYA NEWS.COM – For years, the splendor of the Al-Zaytun Ma’had, standing proudly in Mekarjaya Village, has often raised questions among local residents. But on Thursday, December 25, 2025, those curiosity was answered. With great warmth, the Al-Zaytun PAUD teachers opened the gates to their “near neighbors”: a group from Temiyang Sari Village.
Instead of using luxury buses, five losbaks and two odong-odong (traveling carts) slowly entered the campus. Inside, beaming with joy, sat teachers, parents, and students from Melati Sari PAUD and Matahari PAUD, eager to see what lay beyond the teak forest.
A Warm Welcome from Fellow Educators
The arrival of the guests from the neighboring village was welcomed by a team of eight Al-Zaytun PAUD teachers. Among them were Ustadzah Mar’atu Soleha, Ustadz Rizky Ramadhan, and Ustadzah Fatikhah Nurhayati. As fellow educators, the Al-Zaytun PAUD teachers acted as informative tour guides, explaining every corner of the campus in a friendly and touching manner.
After a brief briefing at Wisma Al-Ishlah, the adventure began. The Al-Zaytun PAUD teachers led the group on an eye-opening “tawaf” (circumambulation) of the environment.
Revealing the Veil of Independence: From Rice to Technology
The first location visited was the Rice Palace. Here, the Al-Zaytun PAUD teachers explained the agricultural modernization process implemented by the Ma’had. The community was amazed to see how rice is automatically processed into ready-to-eat rice. The visit continued to the Chicken Slaughterhouse (RPA) and the tuna processing facility, which provides nutrition for the students. “It’s so exciting to see how rice and chicken are processed. It looks so technologically advanced, unlike us in the village,” said Ibu Ipah, a teacher at Melati Sari Preschool, who was constantly amazed by the technological advancements presented by her colleagues from Al-Zaytun.
The Philosophy Behind the Magnificence of the RLA Mosque
The journey continued to the Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin (RLA) Mosque. Under the shadow of the Peace Youth Tower, the Al-Zaytun Preschool teachers explained the grand philosophy promoted by Sheikh Al-Zaytun. They explained that every inch of the building embodies a vision of peace and humanity.
The cool and serene atmosphere captivated the parents. One student even spontaneously expressed his desire to attend school there someday. “The atmosphere is cool, the building is beautiful. Hopefully, one day my child can attend school here like the other students,” said Ibu Waituniati, one of the parents.
Affectionate Criticism from a Close Neighbor
Although impressed, the villagers’ characteristic honesty still emerged as a form of concern. Mrs. Wiwi, the Principal of Matahari Preschool, left a small note for her host. “It’s very impressive, but I see a lot of leaves scattered on the road. If they were cleaned up, it would be even more beautiful,” she said with a friendly smile. However, according to Maratu Shalihah, at Al-Zaytun, the leaves are not trash, but fertilizer, which the staff collects every afternoon, she explained. Mrs. Wiwi hopes Al-Zaytun continues its enthusiasm for producing extraordinary educational innovations.
Returning Home with New Inspiration
For the educators from Temiyang Sari Village, this visit was more than just a school holiday. It was a comparative study on how an educational institution can be independent and beneficial to the environment. The Principal of Melati Sari Preschool concluded the visit with gratitude.
“This is inspiring for us. Al-Zaytun shows us an extraordinary environment, and we want to return with a larger group,” he concluded.
Toward noon, after a short break at Cafe Kita, the odong-odong procession departed the campus. They returned home not only with stories about magnificent buildings, but also with inspiration from the Al-Zaytun PAUD teachers about the beauty of sharing knowledge with one’s neighbors.***
Author: Maratu Shalihah
Editor: Dr. Ali Aminulloh
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