Kemenag Denies Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School Receiving Billions of Rupiah Aid: 'That's Misunderstanding'

Dream - The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) denies the statement by West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil that Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School in Indramayu Regency has received billions of rupiah in funds from the government. 

"We have never provided assistance funds to Al-Zaytun," said Kemenag Spokesperson Anna Hasbie quoted from the Kemenag website on Friday, June 23, 2023.

The Al-Zaytun institution manages madrasas ranging from the ibtidaiyah (MI), tsanawiyah (MTs), to Aliyah (MA) levels. Based on data in the Kemenag EMIS, there are 1,289 students in MI, 1,979 students in MTs, and 1,746 students in MA studying at the boarding school.

Anna asserts that Kemenag only distributes BOS (school operational assistance) funds intended for all students studying in madrasas and meeting the requirements. The funds are the government's obligation, namely Kemenag, to fulfill their right to education through BOS.

"We urge public officials to base their statements on data. BOS funds are the students' rights, and everyone receives the same. All students in this country receive BOS funds. So, please do not let Mr. Ridwan Kamil say that Kemenag provides billions of aid to Zaytun, even though it is BOS funds. That's a misunderstanding," Anna concluded.

BOS Fund Requirements

According to Anna, in general, there are two requirements that madrasas must fulfill to be eligible for BOS funds. First, the madrasa must have a minimum operational permit of 1 year. "MI, MTs, and MA in Al Zaytun have fulfilled this requirement," she explained.

The second requirement is that the madrasa and its students are registered in the data system developed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, namely EMIS, and update the data in the system. This requirement is also fulfilled by MI, MTs, and MA in Al Zaytun. This year, an additional requirement is that the madrasa is not in a state of internal conflict.

"So, according to the regulations, because they meet the requirements, the students of MI, MTs, and MA there are entitled to receive BOS funds," she said.

BOS funds are a program initiated by the Government to help schools in Indonesia provide more optimal learning. The assistance provided is in the form of funds that can be used for school purposes. For example, maintenance of school facilities and infrastructure, as well as purchasing multimedia tools to support teaching and learning activities.

Anna added that a portion of the BOS funds has been disbursed in the first phase. As for the remaining funds, a comprehensive study is still being conducted on various findings that are currently developing in Al Zaytun.

"The second phase has not been disbursed yet. We certainly have to pay attention to the various dynamics that are currently developing while waiting for a resolution to these issues," she continued.

Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School Permit

Regarding the permit of Al Zaytun Islamic boarding school, Anna Hasbie explained that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is the regulator in the implementation of religious education, including boarding schools.

The practice that has been developing is that the Directorate General of Islamic Education is authorized to issue statistical numbers and registration marks for boarding schools. This is regulated in the Director General of Islamic Education's Decree No. 1626 of 2023 concerning Technical Guidelines for Registration of the Existence of Boarding Schools.

Currently, Al Zaytun Islamic boarding school is registered with both the statistical number and the registration mark. As the issuing party, the Directorate General of Islamic Education also has the authority to freeze the statistical number and registration mark of boarding schools.

"As a regulator, Kemenag has administrative power to limit the movement of institutions suspected of committing serious legal violations," Anna Hasbie emphasized.

Anna added that in relation to the developing dynamics surrounding Al Zaytun Islamic boarding school, they, along with related agencies and Islamic organizations, are conducting a comprehensive study.

The aim is to formulate a position on various information and facts found and clarified regarding Al Zaytun.

"If Az-Zaytun commits serious violations, spreads religious teachings that are suspected to be deviant, then we can freeze the statistical number and registration mark of the boarding school, including its madrasa permit," Anna concluded.

Series of Controversies at Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School in Indramayu, Combining Male and Female Congregants in Prayer and Zina Sin Can Be Redeemed with Money

Dream - Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School in Indramayu Regency, West Java, is once again a topic of discussion after being mentioned to allow adultery because sins can be redeemed with money.

This was stated by Ken Setiawan, a former figure of the Indonesian Islamic State (NII), in a podcast on Herri Pras' YouTube channel.

Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School was founded by AS Panji Gumilang, a figure who has often been controversial. Quoted from the official website of MUI, a series of controversies surrounding Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School have actually been happening for decades.

The controversies at Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School are closely related to its doctrine, institutional affiliation, and religious concepts that it adheres to. In fact, some parties consider this boarding school to be deviant and dangerous.

Here are a series of controversies that have occurred at Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School, which have gone viral on social media and received public condemnation for being considered inconsistent with the teachings of Islam.

1. Mixing Male and Female Congregants in Eid Prayer

The public was shocked by a video on social media showing male and female congregants being combined in Eid prayer.

In addition to creating distance between the congregants, there were also female congregants positioned at the front among the males. The caption accompanying the post mentioned the celebration of Eid Al Fithri at the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Al-Zaytun Mosque in Indonesia.

Regarding the video, a representative from Kemenag explained that Ponpes Al-Zaytun based its legal basis on Quranic verse Al Mujadalah verse 11.

Which means: "O you who have believed, when you are told, 'Make space in assemblies,' then make space; Allah will make space for you."

Furthermore, it was also stated that Islam does not prohibit the implementation of prayer with distance. On the contrary, it is recommended to give space to people so as not to be too crowded.

2. Unusual Call to Prayer (Azan)

Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School sparked controversy again after a video circulated showing a different style of the Friday prayer call to prayer (Azan) from the usual.

The video, which lasted less than a minute, showed a muezzin wearing a suit complete with a blue tie, shoes, and a black peci hat, appearing like a congregant of Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School.

In each recitation of the Azan, hand movements were performed differently from usual.

It can also be seen that the students followed the recitation of the Azan and were accompanied by prayer rows with distance between the congregants.

The muezzin recited the Azan facing the students, not towards the qibla as generally done by Muslims.

3. Sing 'Christian Greetings'

In a viral video uploaded by the Instagram account @say.kocak on Sunday, May 7, 2023, it shows the leader of Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School, Panji Gumilang, inviting the students to sing 'Christian Greetings' which is a greeting for Christians.

"I invite all of you to say greetings that are not just Assalamualaikum, while we sing, I think those who are present, even if they are not skilled, can sing. Let's say 'havenu shalom aleichem' to our friends, in the form of singing. Please stand up, because this is a special occasion," said Panji Gumilang in the video.

Until now, there has been no clarification from Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School regarding the invitation to sing 'Christian Greetings' led directly by the head of the boarding school, Panji Gumilang.

4. Allowed to Commit Adultery, Sin Redeemed with Money

Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School recently became the center of attention after allowing adultery because the sin can be redeemed with money.

This was stated by Ken Setiawan, a former figure of the Indonesian Islamic State (NII), in a podcast on Herri Pras' YouTube channel some time ago.

In the broadcast, Ken revealed explicitly the understanding adopted by Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School, which does not allow its students to date or commit adultery.

However, this rule does not apply to those who have money. Because a person can redeem their sin by paying with money.

"You're not allowed to date, you're not allowed to commit adultery, if you don't have money. But if you have money, it can be done," said Ken Setiawan, quoted from Herri Pras' YouTube channel, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Ken mentioned that Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School has a understanding of the institution of prophethood. Therefore, with this understanding, it is considered possible to redeem sins, including adultery.

"Later there will be a council of laws, charged with a certain article, charged with sin, (by paying) two million, the sin will disappear," said Ken.