Kopertais Region I Jakarta and Banten Holds Halalbihalal to Strengthen Academic Ties
Kopertais Building, UIN Online News – As part of the continued celebration of the month of Shawwal, the Kopertais Region I Jakarta and Banten organized a Halalbihalal gathering to foster friendship, reconciliation, and stronger bonds among academics. Held under the theme "Strengthening Friendship and Reinforcing Brotherhood among Private Islamic Higher Education Institutions in Region I of Jakarta and Banten," the event took place at the Kopertais Building on Tuesday (14 April 2026).
The event was attended by Helmi Halimatul Udhma, wife of the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs and Senior Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Sahiron, Director of Islamic Higher Education (Diktis) at the Directorate General of Islamic Education; Asep Saepudin Jahar, Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and Coordinator of Kopertais Region I; Sururin, Vice Coordinator of Kopertais Region I; the Secretary of Kopertais Region I, as well as rectors and senior leaders from various private Islamic higher education institutions.
In her opening remarks, Helmi Halimatul Udhma emphasized that ukhuwah (Islamic brotherhood) is essential to the growth and sustainability of private Islamic higher education institutions (PTKIS).
“Maintaining communication should not happen only when assistance is needed. Kopertais remains fully committed to supporting institutions in educating future generations, preserving Islamic values, and contributing to the nation's future,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sahiron stressed the importance of UIN Jakarta's role in guiding and mentoring private Islamic higher education institutions under Kopertais Region I. He encouraged institutions to strengthen research, teaching, and community engagement through collaboration rather than competition.
He also urged institutions to work together in improving academic quality and institutional development while maintaining unity and avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Rector Asep Saepudin Jahar highlighted the importance of allowing higher education institutions to grow without being constrained by their governing foundations. According to him, foundations should serve as protectors, supporters, and enablers rather than obstacles to institutional progress.
“A foundation should provide guidance, support, and encouragement. Managing a university should become a path toward goodness and service—not something that distracts us from our higher purpose,” he remarked.
Sururin also welcomed all representatives from private Islamic higher education institutions, expressing gratitude for their attendance and noting the close relationships that have developed through continuous communication among institutional leaders.
The event concluded with a religious sermon delivered by Maulana, who shared practical guidance on personal transformation and spiritual growth. He emphasized that becoming a better person begins with muhasabah—the practice of self-reflection and honest evaluation of one's own shortcomings.
“If you truly want to become a better person, begin with self-reflection. We cannot always rely on others to advise us; sometimes we must first advise ourselves,” he said.
He added that self-improvement should be reinforced through sincere prayer, recognizing human limitations before God, and by consistently improving the quality of one's worship rather than treating it as mere routine. Personal piety, he concluded, should also be accompanied by social responsibility through charitable giving, which purifies one's wealth, nurtures compassion for others, and strengthens one's resolve to overcome worldly desires through acts of worship such as fasting.