Media Release: Santri Summit 2025 Successfully Held, Influencers Inspire Santris to Build the Nation

Harun Nasution Auditorium — The Santri Summit 2025 was successfully held with great enthusiasm at the Harun Nasution Auditorium, Campus I of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, on Sunday (June 29, 2025). This event, themed "Santris' Contribution to the Nation," was attended by over a thousand santris (Islamic boarding school students) and students from various pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) and madrasahs (Islamic schools) across Indonesia, and featured several popular influencers among Generation Z.

Santri Summit 2025 was officially opened at 08:00 AM WIB by the Director of Pesantren at the Directorate General of Islamic Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H. Basnang Said, S.Ag., M.Ag., along with UIN Jakarta Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D. The opening was also attended by vice rectors, faculty leaders, heads of work units, Santri Summit initiator Rinaldi Ibrahim, and student communities part of the Community of Santri Scholars of Ministry of Religious Affairs (CSSMoRA) UIN Jakarta.

In his address, Dr. Basnang Said expressed pride in the organization of Santri Summit 2025. He hoped that similar activities would not stop this year but would continue as an annual program supporting the systematic empowerment of santris. “We must support this activity to be sustainable, so that the spirit and role of santris in nation-building become stronger,” he stated.

He also asserted that santris are now no longer just religious symbols but are at the forefront of the progress of the Indonesian nation's generation, upholding values of honesty, integrity, and social concern. “Santris must become agents of social change capable of answering the challenges of the times while remaining grounded in spiritual values,” he emphasized.

Similar appreciation was conveyed by Rector Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar. In his speech, he considered Santri Summit 2025 not merely a gathering but also a space for collaboration, socialization, and a platform to expand networks among santris across Indonesia. “This is not just an assembly, but a strategic forum to create ideas, expand relationships, and contribute collectively to the nation's future,” he revealed.

The Rector hoped that santris, especially CSSMoRA scholarship recipients, could make tangible contributions to society and the nation. They were encouraged not only to excel academically but also to possess social concern and a high spirit of service through the Ministry of Religious Affairs as their sponsoring institution. “Santris are not just students in religious educational institutions; they are also agents of social change who have a moral responsibility to build the nation,” he explained.

The Santri Summit 2025 series of events featured five inspiring talk show sessions. Dozens of cross-disciplinary influencers shared their experiences, including Rinaldi Nur Ibrahim, Inara Rusli, Shakira Amirah, Wirda Mansur, dr. Elza Amelia Firdaus, EL Alice, Fildzah Izzati Ismah, Rian Fahardhi, Fardi Yandi, Raden Hanif, Teuku Daffa, and content creator Bicara Pede.

The first session, themed “Life Motivation for the Young Generation Based on Mental Health and Islamic Spirituality,” featured Risty Tagor, Ang Sharly, and Raihan Habib. Risty emphasized the importance of sharing stories to alleviate mental pressure, Ang Sharly encouraged participants to focus on solutions and trust in Allah's help, while Raihan Habib shared his story that prayer is a strength to overcome the lowest points.

The second talk show featured Wirda Mansur, Apt. Rinaldi Nur Ibrahim, and Fardi Yandi, discussing Career Motivation and Creative Writing. The third session, themed “Maintaining Islamic Values in the Gen Z Era,” featured Inara Rusli, Widani, and Rasul Amin.

In the fourth session, Bicara Pede and Rian Fahardhi shared tips and experiences on “Becoming a Content Creator on Social Media.” The last talk show featured Apt. Faqih Difran Hanif, dr. Elza Amelia, and Shakira Amirah, who shared inspiration for creating based on their respective passions.

The entire series of Santri Summit 2025 events ran smoothly and was open to university students and the general public free of charge. The event was further enlivened by art performances, public outreach, inspirational video screenings, and awards for creative video competitions.

(Public Information & Humas Center UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)