From Hadith Interpretation to Chair of the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU), Afifuddin Shares His Career Journey at UIN Jakarta’s Graduation Ceremony

Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online - UIN Jakarta held its 133rd graduation ceremony at Harun Nasution Auditorium Building, Saturday (24/8/2024). The event was attended by Mochammad Afifuddin, S.Th.I., M.Si., an alumnus of UIN Jakarta who now serves as Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) RI.

On the occasion, Afifuddin recounted his career journey since 20 years ago when he was a student of Tafsir Hadis at UIN Jakarta. He revealed that he never imagined that he would reach an important position in KPU RI.

“If I had known that I would become the chairman of the KPU, I would have asked people majoring in Hadith Interpretation what they wanted to be. I would answer to be the chairman of the KPU,” he said.

The man who is usually called Afif has been an activist since he was a student. He once served as Student President (BEM) of UIN Jakarta 2000-2001. At that time, Afif was one of the main supporters during the campus transition phase from IAIN to UIN, despite many rejections from other students.

“During the transition from IAIN to UIN, many of my friends spat and threw shoes at me. Because they were considered approving the change from IAIN to UIN,” said Afif. Afif adds, “If the change from IAIN to UIN had not been approved, perhaps the progress at UIN Jakarta would not have been this fast.”

After graduating in 2004, he became involved in organizing elections. Starting from being a volunteer observer at the polling station as a student, then becoming the National Coordinator of the Voter Education Network for the People (JPPR), to serving as a State organizer at the Election Supervisory Board and the General Election Commission.

In his speech at the graduation ceremony, Afif advised to always be proud and confident to be a graduate of UIN Jakarta. “UIN alumni can be anything. There is an Arabic proverb that says don't ask how to do it, just live it,” he said.

In addition, Afif also emphasized that UIN alumni must be consistent and istiqomah wherever they are. “I feel that in addition to the prayers of parents, in addition to the prayers of teachers at UIN and our teachers everywhere, and the prayers of the best people around us, among what can lead us to what we want is consistency and isistiqomahan,” he concluded.

(Aji Pangestu/Fauziah M./Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi/Photo: Melva Evangelyn, Dwi Aryo Penangsang)