Introduction to Rifa’iayah’s Strategic Move

Pimpinan Pusat (PP) Rifa’iayah, in collaboration with Pimpinan Pusat Angkatan Muda Rifa’iayah (AMRI), recently conducted a strategic move by holding an official meeting with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta. This crucial meeting marked a significant momentum for Rifa’iayah, as it aimed to align the organization’s educational vision with the national policy direction, while also emphasizing the contribution of educational institutions under Rifa’iayah to the nation.

Main Facts of the Meeting

The delegation, led by the Chairman of PP Rifa’iayah, Dr. KH. Mukhlisin Muzarie, accompanied by the Secretary General, H. Saeful Arif, S.H., M.Kn., and the Chairman of AMRI, Dr. Abdul Kholik, was warmly received by the representative of Kemendikdasmen, Prof. Biyanto, who serves as the Expert Staff of the Minister for Regulation and Inter-Institutional Relations. During the meeting, Rifa’iayah presented a comprehensive academic paper outlining the proposal for a strategic cooperation in the development of basic and secondary education. This document serves as a conceptual foundation, incorporating grand ideas on transforming the quality of education, developing teacher competencies, accelerating the digitalization of learning, strengthening character education based on Islamic values, and improving the governance of educational institutions.

Chronology of Events

The meeting, which took place on July 30, 2024, was characterized by a warm and constructive atmosphere. Rifa’iayah’s delegation presented their aspirations, emphasizing the importance of incorporating the figure of KH Ahmad Rifai, the organization’s founder and a National Hero, into the national education curriculum. The Secretary General of PP Rifa’iayah, H. Saeful Arif, underscored that KH Ahmad Rifai was not only a prominent Islamic scholar but also a national figure whose struggle against colonialism through literacy and education had a profound systemic impact. According to Arif, introducing the history and thoughts of KH Ahmad Rifai into school curricula is crucial for character education and instilling nationalist values in young generations.

Supporting Data and Aspirations

KH Ahmad Rifai is widely recognized as a revolutionary figure. Amidst the pressure of Dutch colonialism, he tirelessly resisted through structured Islamic preaching and the authorship of books rich in nationalist, independence, and social critique values. His intellectual works, which are still deeply studied in thousands of Rifa’iayah pesantren and madrasah, contain pearls of wisdom highly relevant to addressing the moral and identity crises faced by today’s generation. By incorporating materials about KH Ahmad Rifai’s thoughts into history or civic education subjects, it is hoped that students can emulate his courage and integrity in defending truth and loving the nation.

Official Responses and Implications

In response to Rifa’iayah’s proposal, Prof. Biyanto, representing Kemendikdasmen, welcomed the initiative positively. He stated that the government is always open to inputs from religious organizations that have a high concern for education. The synergy between the government and community organizations like Rifa’iayah is seen as a key to accelerating the equalization of education quality across the country. Kemendikdasmen appreciated Rifa’iayah’s effort in compiling a structured academic paper, indicating that the organization is ready to collaborate professionally in enhancing the competitiveness of Indonesia’s human resources.

Strengthening Education and the Role of KH Ahmad Rifai

The discussion during the meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening teacher competencies. Rifa’iayah hopes for continuous training programs from Kemendikdasmen for teachers under its umbrella, enabling them to adapt to the latest educational technology developments. Improving teacher quality is believed to have a direct impact on producing higher-quality and more characterful educational outputs. Additionally, digitalization is a significant focus to ensure that Rifa’iayah’s educational institutions can transform into modern entities without abandoning their traditional roots, which are characteristic of KH Ahmad Rifai’s struggle.

Future Plans and Collaborations

This meeting marks the beginning of a series of collaborations expected to be sustainable. Rifa’iayah is committed to continuously guarding national education policies by aligning its internal curriculum with national competency standards. With the spirit of "Education for the Nation," Rifa’iayah aims to ensure that every student under its care not only masters science and technology but also possesses deep faith and firm soul, as taught by the founder. The organization’s active involvement in this national dialogue is evidence that Rifa’iayah continues to transform into a dynamic and relevant entity with the challenges of time. With full support from Kemendikdasmen, Rifa’iayah is optimistic about making broader and more significant contributions to the advancement of Indonesia’s educational world.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Rifa’iayah plans to maintain intensive communication with the relevant ministries, including in terms of synchronizing education data and developing learning innovations. This synergy is expected to become an ideal partnership model between the state and religious organizations, where the community’s role in enlightening the nation’s life receives maximum appreciation and support from the government. The meeting not only symbolizes silaturahmi (bonding) but also marks a turning point in strengthening Rifa’iayah’s strategic role in the national education map towards Indonesia Emas 2045. With the values of KH Ahmad Rifai’s struggle as inspiration, it is hoped that the entire educational element in Indonesia can produce a golden generation that is not only academically excellent but also possesses a strong nationalist spirit and noble character.