Returning to Campus, the Chair of the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU) Attends UIN Jakarta’s 133rd Graduation Ceremony

Main Auditorium, UIN News Online - Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU RI), Mochammad Afifuddin, attended and witnessed the 133rd graduation procession of bachelor, master, and doctoral programs of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta in Harun Nasution Auditorium, Saturday (24/8/2024). In addition to expressing his memories while still studying at the Hadith Interpretation Department, Faculty of Ushuluddin, Afifuddin, representing alumni, also provided motivation to the graduates. “Exactly 20 years ago, I stood in this room to graduate. In 2004 I graduated, and now it is 2024. So exactly 20 years ago I graduated (from UIN Jakarta),” he recalled opening the alumni's remarks. 

Afifuddin said, he entered UIN Jakarta when the campus was still called IAIN Jakarta in 1998. At that time, the campus was transitioning from IAIN to UIN. Right when he was trusted to be the President of the University Student Executive Board (BEMU), the transition process continued to strengthen. 

The transition from IAIN to UIN, he continued, turned out to have a positive impact on the development of UIN Jakarta into one of the leading state Islamic religious universities. “What we see today did not just appear. During the transition, there were many pros and cons, many agreed and many did not,” he said. 

As the President of BEMU, he continued, he was considered to be in favor of the change to UIN, which therefore invited sharp criticism from the opposing parties. “And if it was not approved at that time, maybe this change would not have happened so quickly,” Afifuddin added.

Furthermore, Afifuddin revealed that he studied in the department of Tafsir Hadith, Faculty of Ushuluddin. This department is far different from the work and mandate he is carrying out now. “If I had been asked, 'what do you want to be by studying Tafsir Hadith? Maybe I will answer, I will become the Chairman of the KPU,” he said with a smile.

The difference in majors pursued and the work he is doing now, he continued, is a privilege commonly found in graduates of IAIN/UIN Jakarta. But Afifuddin said, he adhered to an Arabic proverb, La tas'al kaifa sabil, usluk sabil li anna fiihi dalil. “Don't ask how to do it, just do it, because there will be a way,” he explained. 

Since 1999, Afif said, he has been an election observer, which he remembers as the first post-New Order election. But the whole process was carried out fluidly until it led him to fill various positions related to election monitoring and implementation. 
UIN Jakarta, he said, with all its dynamics and environment rich in campus democratic values, is sure to shape the character of its graduates to be ready to face any challenge. “My message is that the important thing is consistency and istiqamah in living our choices,” he said.

However, he added, prayers and encouragement from parents, teachers, and good people are another important part that leads to the ladder of service. “So the prayers of parents, teachers, and good people around us, consistency and istiqamah are provisions that can lead us to success,” he continued.

He also emphasized to the graduates to be proud to be part of UIN Jakarta alumni. “Being a UIN Jakarta alumni is reason enough to achieve whatever you dream of, supported by the large network we have,” he said.

“Many state institutions have UIN Jakarta alumni. Never be discouraged to be a UIN Jakarta alumni. Today, we do not stand alone, but with collaboration, cooperation, and a strong network,” he explained.

Afifuddin closed his remarks by reminding that after graduating from UIN Jakarta, the responsibility is to carry the good name of UIN Jakarta, not just the department or faculty. “After graduating, what we have to think about is bringing the good name of UIN Jakarta, not just the department or faculty,” said Afifuddin.

At the end of his speech, Afifuddin motivated the graduates by reciting rhymes:

Makan ikan bawal pakai sambal merah,
Wisuda adalah awal untuk esok yang lebih cerah.
Pak Rektor mengundang saya melihat adik-adik wisuda pakai toga,
Selamat berkarya dan buatlah orang tua serta saudara kita bangga.
Transit di Doha untuk pergi ke Mekkah,
Kepada Ibu mintalah doa agar gelar menjadi berkah.
Pergi ke Cikini beli bunga melati,
Sebagai alumni, saya sungguh berbangga hati.

At the end of his speech, Afifuddin asked for prayers from all attendees to always be given strength in carrying out the mandate as Chairman of the KPU RI. He hopes to continue to maintain the good name of UIN Jakarta in building a better election system and democratic governance in Indonesia. 
“Please pray that I will always be prayed for in carrying out the mandate as Chairman of the KPU in Indonesia,” he hoped.  

It is known that Mochammad Afifuddin is the Chairman of KPI RI since it was appointed on July 28, 2024 for the period 2024-2027. Born in 1980 in Sidoarjo, East Java, Afifuddin completed his undergraduate education at the Department of Tafsir Hadith, Faculty of Ushuluddin, UIN Jakarta in 2024. He then completed his Masters in Communication Science at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia in 2007.

(Zaenal Muttaqin/Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi/Photo: Melva Evangelyn, Hermanudin)