Press Release: UIN Jakarta Alumnus, Supreme Court Justice Dr. Abdul Manaf, Passes Away
Jakarta, UIN Online News — UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta mourns the passing of one of its most distinguished alumni, Dr. Drs. Abdul Manaf, M.H., a Supreme Court Justice in the Religious Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia. He passed away on Wednesday (21/05/2025), at the age of 66.
Dr. Abdul Manaf was a significant figure in the national religious justice system. Born in Bogor on July 14, 1958, he began his service in the judiciary in 1984 and had a long career full of integrity, exemplary conduct, and high dedication. His professional track record includes various strategic positions such as Director General of the Directorate General of Religious Judiciary (Badilag), Inspector of the Supreme Court Supervisory Body, Vice Chairman of the Surabaya Religious High Court, culminating in his appointment as a Supreme Court Justice in the Religious Chamber of the Supreme Court on August 15, 2018.
Before serving as a Supreme Court Justice, the deceased built his career in various regions of Indonesia. He began his duties as a judge and concurrently Chairman at the Bajawa Religious Court (1984–1996), then continued his service at the Karangasem Religious Court, Bali (1996–2004). After that, he was entrusted to lead the North Jakarta Religious Court (2004–2008), before being appointed as a High Judge at the Medan Religious High Court (2008–2009).
Returning to Jakarta, Dr. Abdul Manaf was entrusted with supervisory functions as a Supervisory High Judge at the Supreme Court Supervisory Body (2009–2014). His expertise in fostering judicial institutions led him to the position of Director General of Badilag (2014–June 26, 2018), a strategic position that provided a strong foundation for his subsequent appointment as a Supreme Court Justice at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia.
Behind Dr. Abdul Manaf's journey, he was an undergraduate in Islamic Law (Sharia) from the Faculty of Sharia and Law at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, which was then still named IAIN Syarif Hidayatullah. His scholarly spirit continued to burn, and he pursued doctoral studies in the Postgraduate Program of Islamic Studies at the same alma mater. This academic background strengthened his role as a respected Islamic law expert and Supreme Court Justice.
UIN Jakarta Rector, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., expressed deep condolences for the passing of the deceased.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Abdul Manaf. He was a role model for the UIN Jakarta academic community. His service and work as a supreme court justice serve as an example and model for us and remind us that UIN graduates must always be able to contribute to the nation and state, especially in the field of law and justice based on Islamic values,” said the Rector.
Dr. Abdul Manaf was known as a polite, humble, yet firm and visionary individual. He not only upheld the law but also nurtured the next generation in the religious justice system with humanist and benefit-oriented values of justice.
“May Allah SWT accept all his good deeds and place him in the best place by His side. We also pray that the bereaved family will be given strength and fortitude,” added the Rector.
UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta will always remember Dr. Abdul Manaf as a symbol of integrity, intellectuality, and dedication to justice rooted in Islamic values. His legacy will continue to inspire students, lecturers, and alumni to continue the struggle of building a just, inclusive, and civilized legal system.
From the womb of UIN Jakarta, succeeding generations will continue to be born, inspired by the exemplary life of "The Supreme Justice," a figure who proved that knowledge, faith, and deeds can unite in noble service.
Farewell, Your Honor Dr. Abdul Manaf. Your name and exemplary life will always live on in the history of UIN Jakarta and the Indonesian judiciary.
(M. Hanif Al-Fatih/Zaenal M./Noeni Indah S./Photo: komisiyudisial.go.id)