KAHMI Indramayu Meets HMI Seniors: Exploring National Inspiration at Al Zaytun
INDRAMAYU-JAYA NEWS.COM – A light drizzle fell in the afternoon, wetting the courtyard of the Al Zaytun campus. The sky was calm, as if creating a solemn atmosphere for a gathering that was not merely a gathering, but also a space for the convergence of grand ideas about the nation’s future. It was here that HMI cadres and alumni gathered, meeting with a senior who has done real work for education and civilization: Sheikh A.S. Panji Gumilang, MP.
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the extended family of the Islamic Students Association (KAHMI) Alumni Corps in Indramayu met with the extended family of Ma’had Al Zaytun. The Sheikh affectionately referred to the guests in attendance as “HMI Seniors.” The meeting’s theme was “Inspiration for Nationality and Statehood.”
The delegation was led by Ganjar Tirta, Chairman of the KAHMI Indramayu Presidium, along with several KAHMI figures, including Priyo Abdurrahman, Dr. Zaenal Abidin, Bang Kodim, Chairman of the Indramayu Branch of HMI Formation, Rahmat Ghazali, Chairman of the Kohati Formation, Nur Azizah, and officials from the Indramayu branch. The total number of participants was 42.
At approximately 4:00 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time), the group arrived at the Al Zaytun campus and was welcomed by Sheikh Panji Gumilang and other Al Zaytun members in the Special Room of the Rahmatan Lil ‘Alamin Mosque. In his remarks, Ganjar Tirta explained that the KAHMI delegation’s visit aimed to strengthen ties with the Sheikh, a senior HMI figure and educational figure who has made significant contributions to Indramayu.
The sense of camaraderie was further enhanced by the event, which continued with sungkai (a traditional meal), breaking the fast with dates, and then congregational Maghrib prayer. After that, the guests enjoyed dinner together at Cafe Kita, with dishes of rica-rica meat, fish soup, young coconut, fruit soup, and various snacks.
After dinner, the event continued with a national dialogue hosted by the Chancellor of IAI Al Zaytun, Datuk Sir Imam Prawoto, KRSS, MBA, CRBC.
In his introduction, Syaykh Panji Gumilang said that many teachers and exponents at Al Zaytun were HMI cadres. Therefore, according to him, Al Zaytun can be called one of the educational centers for HMI cadres.
The first speech was delivered by Rahmat Ghazali, Chairman of the elected Formation of HMI Indramayu Branch. He admitted that this was his first time coming to Al Zaytun and was very impressed with the warm welcome he received. He hopes to receive direction from the Shaykh regarding the development of HMI cadres in the future.
The Chairman of the KAHMI Indramayu Presidium, Ganjar Tirta, then introduced the KAHMI figures in attendance: lawyers, businessmen, members of the General Elections Commission (KPU), journalists from the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI), and judges. He expressed his pride in having a senior like Sheikh Panji Gumilang, who has successfully built a major educational institution that is the pride of Indramayu.
Another KAHMI senior, Hendar, hoped that this gathering would be the beginning of a lifelong relationship.
Meanwhile, Nur Azizah, Chair of the Kohati Formation Committee, expressed her gratitude for the welcome and requested the Sheikh’s guidance on steps to advance Kohati going forward.
An interesting proposal came from Priyo Abdurrahman, a KAHMI member from Dagen, Yogyakarta. He proposed building a tapioca factory in the Al Zaytun area. He believed that Al Zaytun’s vast land area has great potential for producing cassava flour, a staple for the cracker industry in Indramayu, but which is currently supplied from Lampung and Pati.
Priyo also reminded HMI founder Lafran Pane of the message that HMI cadres are expected to be intelligent, intellectual, healthy, moral, and wealthy, capable of building the independence of the people and nation.
The highlight of the event was a national sermon from Sheikh Panji Gumilang. He began by introducing the “greetings of the people of Paradise,” Salamun ‘alaikum, as mentioned in Surah Az-Zumar: 73. According to him, the image of Paradise in the Quran is not abstract, but rather a concrete depiction of life: gardens with rivers flowing beneath them, good irrigation systems, prosperity, and order.
Therefore, he believes that humans must strive to build this image of “Paradise” in the real world, through educational, economic, and civilizational development.
The Sheikh emphasized that Indonesia possesses abundant natural resources, but without superior human resources, that wealth is meaningless. Therefore, he proposed the establishment of 500 boarding school centers throughout Indonesia to create equitable education and produce cadres for national development.
He also touched on the history of ethical politics during the Dutch colonial period which included three main programs: irrigation, education and transmigration. From modern education, an educated generation was born which was then able to proclaim Indonesia’s independence.
Closing the meeting, Syaykh proposed that the dialogue between HMI cadres and their seniors should not stop at this meeting. He encouraged regular meetings to be held ten times a year, with the goal being Tuesdays or Thursdays that coincide with the Kliwon month in the Javanese calendar.
These meetings were expected to provide a forum for discussing major ideas on education, economics, and national development.
Outside, a light drizzle was still falling. However, inside the meeting room, the spirit of nationalism was warm, as if reminding us that major changes always arise from friendship, dialogue, and the courage to build the nation’s future.
The event concluded with a group photo, capturing the moment when HMI cadres and seniors met, exchanged ideas, and rekindled their spirit of devotion to Indonesia.**
Author: Ali Aminulloh (Member of KAHMI)
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