UIN Jakarta Pays Tribute to the Legacy of Prof. Amal Fathullah Zarkasyi

Jakarta, UIN News Online -- UIN Jakarta extends its deepest condolences on the passing of Prof. Dr. K.H. Amal Fathullah Zarkasyi, M.A., Chairman of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor and the first Professor of Universitas Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor, who passed away on 3 January 2026 in Solo, Central Java.

In a statement issued on behalf of the University, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., Rector of UIN Jakarta, described Prof. Amal's passing as a profound loss for Indonesia's Islamic education community.

"On behalf of the entire UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Prof. Amal's family, the Gontor community, and all those whose lives were touched by his remarkable leadership and scholarship," the Rector said.

Prof. Asep noted that Prof. Amal devoted his life to strengthening the role of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) within Indonesia's national education system. His contributions extended beyond teaching and institutional leadership to shaping national education policy, including efforts to advance the recognition of muadalah institutions and support the enactment of the Pesantren Law, which provides a stronger legal foundation for Islamic boarding schools across Indonesia.

A Gontor alumnus himself, Prof. Asep described Prof. Amal as a respected scholar and educator whose leadership exemplified integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and character formation.

"His dedication to advancing Islamic education and strengthening the institutional standing of pesantren will remain an enduring legacy for future generations," he said.

UIN Jakarta also acknowledged Prof. Amal's significant role in bridging the rich intellectual traditions of the pesantren with the evolving landscape of modern higher education. His efforts helped promote moderate and inclusive Islamic values while fostering constructive engagement between religious scholarship and contemporary academic discourse.

The University extends its sincere sympathies to Prof. Amal's family, the leadership and academic community of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, and colleagues across Indonesia's higher education sector. His lifelong contributions to Islamic scholarship and education will continue to inspire future generations of educators, researchers, and students.