Santri Day 2025: Minister of Religious Affairs Launches Assistance Program for Pesantren

Jakarta, UIN Online News — Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., officially inaugurated the 2025 National Santri Day at Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, East Java. On this occasion, the minister announced the government’s plan to establish a dedicated first echelon unit within the Ministry of Religious Affairs to oversee Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and their students (santri).

“Until now, at least, pesantren affairs have been managed by the second echelon level. As for the future, the official command for the First Echelon will be delivered to increase the management for these schools,” Nasaruddin Umar stated in Jombang on Monday (22/9/25).

Despite pesantren's well-known autonomy, as stated in the Pesantren Law, the government will step up to help these education units further. 

“Today is where the Jihad Revolution was proclaimed; a long history deserves recognition for the santris,” he said.

The opening ceremony was attended by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah KH Irfan Yusuf, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Tebuireng caretaker KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, PBNU Vice Chairman KH Zulfa Mustofa, and Muhammadiyah Chairman KH Saad Ibrahim.

In addition to institutional reforms, the government is also prioritizing the welfare of santris. Minister Umar noted that President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship programs, Free Health Check and Free Nutritious Meals, have now been extended to pesantren domains.

“Santri must not only excel in knowledge but also maintain good health and nutrition. With this foundation, they will be prepared to grow as an outstanding generation ready to shine on the global stage,” he remarked.

Director General of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Amien Suyitno, underlined that Santri Day is more than just an annual commemoration.

“Today, we affirm that pesantren are not merely traditional learning centers but hubs of empowerment, drivers of religious moderation, and engines of community self-reliance. Establishing a dedicated directorate is therefore a critical strategic move,” he explained.

He added that the launch featured three core events: a national forum on the theme “Reinterpreting the Jihad Resolution: From Pesantren for the Benefit of the Nation”; free health check services at four pesantren in Jombang; and site visits to the Free Nutritious Meals program at two pesantrens.

“All these initiatives become a momentum to strengthen the contribution of pesantren in building a healthy, competitive, and golden Indonesia,” Suyitno concluded.

(Zaenal M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Ministry of Religious Affairs)