Rifaiyah Temanggung Charts New Course: Shobikun Elected as Leader Amid Renewed Government Partnership and Calls for Organizational Transformation

TEMANGGUNG, Indonesia — The seventh Regional Conference (MUSDA VII) of the Rifaiyah Regional Leadership Board (PD) of Temanggung Regency has concluded with the election of a new leadership team, marking what analysts describe as a pivotal moment for the 200-year-old Islamic organization in Central Java. Held over two days, from July 18 to 19, 2026, in the Aula of the Purwosari Village Government Office, Wonoboyo District, the conference not only facilitated a peaceful leadership transition but also secured a historic commitment of operational funding from the local government, signaling a new era of institutional synergy.

Main Facts: A New Leadership and A Strategic Mandate

The central outcome of MUSDA VII was the election of Shobikun, S.Pd.I., a career educator and government civil servant (ASN) under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, as the new Ketua Tanfidz (Executive Chairman) of PD Rifaiyah Temanggung for the 2026–2031 term. Concurrently, K. Samsul Ma’arif was appointed as the Ketua Dewan Syuro (Chairman of the Advisory Council). The election was conducted through a Dewan Formatur (Formatur Council) meeting, presided over by Imron Mujahidin, utilizing a consensus-based musyawarah mufakat mechanism that incorporated input from all 42 branch representatives.

The conference was officially opened by the Chairman of the Central Leadership of Rifaiyah, Dr. KH. Mukhlisin Muzarie, M.A., and was closed by the Regent of Temanggung, Agus Setiawan. The closing ceremony was deliberately scheduled to coincide with the local Selapanan Ahad Pahing tradition, a Javanese spiritual-cultural observance, imbuing the event with both administrative and ritualistic significance. A total of 200 official delegates from across the regency participated, alongside key figures including the Chairman of the Central Java Provincial Leadership of Rifaiyah, KH. Isrofi Mahfudz, and representatives from the National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol) of Temanggung.

Chronology: From Preparatory Anxieties to a Model of Democratic Maturity

The path to MUSDA VII was not without its underlying tensions. According to Amin Rindoi, the event’s organizing secretary, the transition of power was a source of significant pre-conference anxiety. The incumbent chairman, K. Nur Yasin, was constitutionally barred from seeking re-election after completing three consecutive terms, as stipulated by the organization’s bylaws (AD/ART). This created an uncertain leadership vacuum, raising concerns among organizers about potential factional disputes during the selection process.

However, these fears proved unfounded. “Alhamdulillah, MUSDA proceeded exceptionally well,” Amin Rindoi stated, expressing palpable relief. “If there were any differences of opinion in the deliberation chamber, they were merely normal dynamics—an integral part of organizational maturation, not a sign of division.” The proceedings were characterized by a disciplined, orderly atmosphere, reflecting the deep-seated organizational culture of Rifaiyah. The primary deliberation process on July 18 revolved around evaluating the performance of the outgoing 2021–2026 board and establishing the broad policy direction for the next quinquennium. This was followed by a focused plenary session on July 19 to finalize the candidate profiles for the Formatur Council, which subsequently successfully named the new leadership team.

In a testament to the organization’s commitment to healthy regeneration, K. Nur Yasin was immediately elevated to a higher strategic role. He was appointed as the new Ketua Dewan Syuro (Advisory Council Chairman) for the Central Java Provincial Leadership of Rifaiyah, serving alongside KH. Isrofi Mahfudz. This seamless succession plan underscored a continuous leadership pipeline rather than a disruptive break.

Supporting Data: The Profile of a Scholarly Steward

The election of Shobikun represents a calculated choice, prioritizing administrative experience and deep institutional memory. At 58 years old, Shobikun is a native of Temanggung, born on March 18, 1968. His educational trajectory is deeply embedded within the traditional Islamic educational ecosystem of Java. He began his schooling at the very institution he now leads, MI Rifaiyah Pateken, before continuing to SMP Muhammadiyah Ngadirejo. He pursued higher secondary education at MA YMI Wonopringgo while concurrently studying at Pondok Pesantren Paesan in Pekalongan.

His thirst for classical Islamic scholarship led him to Pondok Pesantren Cimohong in Brebes and, notably, to Pondok Pesantren Tremas in Pacitan, East Java—a prestigious institution famous for its intensive study of the kitab kuning (classical Islamic texts). Academically, Shobikun completed his undergraduate degree at STAINU Temanggung and furthered his studies at Universitas Muhammadiyah Magelang (UMM) in the Islamic Education program. With over three decades of continuous service within the Rifaiyah administrative structure, he is regarded not as a newcomer but as a tested steward. His current daily role as Kepala MI Rifaiyah Pateken also gives him direct, hands-on experience in the organization’s core mission: education.

The conference also established key operational data points. The decision to hold MUSDA in Purwosari Village was strategic, aiming to decentralize organizational activities from the regency capital and engage rural grassroots support. The presence of 42 participating branches—the highest number in recent memory—indicated strong organizational health and engagement across the regency’s geographies.

Official Responses: A Mandate for Transformation and Support

The discourse of MUSDA VII was dominated by two distinct but complementary official voices: one calling for existential transformation from within, and another promising tangible institutional support from the outside.

Central Leadership: Adapt or Be Irrelevant

In his keynote address, Dr. KH. Mukhlisin Muzarie delivered a sobering assessment of the global environment. He warned that the pace of societal change is accelerating so rapidly that organizations clinging to static methodologies risk irrelevance. Drawing directly on the teachings of the organization’s founder, KH. Ahmad Rifa’i, he asserted that the core doctrine of Rifaiyah is not a stagnant formula but a dynamic methodology for performing amar makruf nahi mungkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil) that is contextually adaptive.

In a striking turn, the central chairman did not focus on organizational structure but on ethical foundations. He quoted the Umayyad Caliph Abdul Malik bin Marwan regarding four pillars of civilization: early-instilled honesty, patience, literary and linguistic literacy, and a socially integrated environment. “Honesty is the primary foundation of civilization,” Mukhlisin stated. “If a child is accustomed to lying, they will grow into a liar. Likewise, a nation that normalizes falsehood is only waiting for its destruction.” He challenged the recently elected leadership to design programs that transcend ceremonialism and truly build character, specifically targeting the cultivation of honesty and personal responsibility among members.

Regent Agus Setiawan: A Historic Commitment of Funding

The most concrete outcome of the conference—and the one generating the most immediate buzz among delegates—was an explicit promise from a sitting regent. Regent Agus Setiawan publicly acknowledged that the local government had historically under-prioritized Rifaiyah, despite its deep roots in the region. In a clear policy reversal, he announced that operational funding for PD Rifaiyah Temanggung would be included in the 2026 Regional Budget (APBD).

“Under my leadership, the Temanggung Regency Government will forge a much tighter synergy with the new PD Rifaiyah,” Agus Setiawan declared to thunderous applause. “We will provide operational budget support so that the da’wah and social programs planned by the organization can run more optimally.” This commitment transforms the relationship between the religious organization and the state from a purely ideological partnership to a fiscally supported one. The Regent concluded by urging the Rifaiyah family to continue serving as pioneers of harmony in Temanggung’s heterogeneous society.

Implications: A New Blueprint for Religious Organization in the 21st Century

The implications of MUSDA VII Rifaiyah Temanggung extend far beyond a simple leadership change. The convergence of events—the election of a technocratic educator as leader, the promise of state funding, and a central call for ethical modernization—presents a multi-layered strategic situation.

First, regarding institutional legitimacy and capacity: The government’s financial support removes a significant operational bottleneck. Historically, many Rifaiyah programs—from literacy classes to village economic empowerment initiatives—relied on voluntary contributions. A consistent budget line from the APBD allows for professionalized management, longer-term planning, and potentially, the hiring of dedicated staff.

Second, regarding inter-institutional relations: Rifaiyah’s role has been officially recognized by the state as both a spiritual guardian and a civic partner in maintaining ukhuwah islamiyah and interfaith harmony. By securing this funding, the organization has effectively gained a seat at the formal table of regional development planning, moving from a purely community-based organization to a quasi-governmental partner in social welfare.

Third, regarding internal organizational health: The peaceful leadership transition, despite constitutional term limits barring a popular incumbent, demonstrates institutional maturity. The ability to manage succession without paralysis or schism—and then to immediately promote the outgoing leader to a provincial role—points to a sophisticated, stable organizational culture capable of navigating the complexities of regeneration. This sets a powerful precedent for other regional Rifaiyah branches across Central Java.

Fourth, regarding strategic direction: Dr. KH. Mukhlisin’s emphasis on honesty and literacy, rather than on ritual orthodoxy, signals a deliberate pivot toward “soft power” capacity building. The message is clear: Rifaiyah’s survival and relevance in the digital age depend not on doctrinal rigidity but on the ethical quality of its membership. The call for a “just and integrity-based” cadre program suggests that future efforts will prioritize character education and social trust over internal administrative consolidation.

Conclusion: The Babak Baru Begins

MUSDA VII Rifaiyah Temanggung was not merely a bureaucratic routine. It was a strategic inflection point. The election of Shobikun provides a steady, experienced hand to guide the organization through the next five years. The injection of government resources provides the material fuel for its engine. And the central leadership’s intellectual mandate provides the philosophical destination.

The new leadership faces formidable challenges: maintaining independence while accepting state funds; modernizing education and da’wah methods without diluting traditional values; and ensuring that the “jujur dan berintegritas” (honest and integrity) mantra translates into measurable community outcomes. However, with a consolidated base of 42 branches, a clear succession plan, and an increasingly positive relationship with the local government, PD Rifaiyah Kabupaten Temanggung has positioned itself not merely to survive the changing tides of the 21st century, but to chart them. The babak baru—the new chapter—has indeed begun.