Masyayikh Assembly: Islamic Boarding School Certificates Must Include Garuda Emblems, This Is The Reason

The Masyayikh Assembly held a socialization of Law No. 18/2019 concerning Islamic Boarding Schools at the As'adiyyah Islamic Boarding School, Sengkang, Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi. (ANTARA/HO-Majelis Masyayikh)

JAKARTA - The Masyayikh Assembly stated that the diploma issued by the Islamic boarding school must include the symbol of the Indonesian state, namely the Garuda Bird.

Member of the Masyayikh Assembly, Amrah Kasim, said that pesantren has complete freedom to determine everything, from the curriculum, system, to its management. However, it remains within the framework of loyalty to the Republic of Indonesia.

"This is actually the obligation of all elements of this nation, including Islamic boarding schools whose curriculum is based on yellow books. The existence of Islamic boarding schools is a reflection of rahmatan lil alamin," Amrah said as quoted by Antara in his statement in Jakarta, Saturday, November 4.

Amrah said the state symbol in the pesantren diploma is the government's representation of non-formal pesantren education, related to loyalty to the four pillars of nationality and commitment to religious moderation.

The inclusion of the state symbol in the pesantren diploma has been regulated in the Minister of Religion Regulation (PMA) Number 31 of 2020.

Article 26 paragraph 2 states that the diploma issued by the pesantren must include the state symbol at the top, as the format exemplified.

This inclusion is also a form of acknowledgment of Islamic boarding schools as non-formal education units that are part of the integral of the national education system (Sisdiknas).

"Through the Islamic Boarding School Law, the government recognizes that pesantren graduates are equivalent to formal education units that have been protected by the state," said Amrah.

Previously, the Masyayikh Assembly said that the government officially gave recognition to the higher education system in Islamic boarding schools so that graduates would receive academic degrees at the undergraduate level (S1).

"In order for there to be no more inequality and injustice in the national education system, Islamic boarding schools must be recognized and equivalent to other educational diplomas," said Member of the Masyayikh Assembly, Abdul Ghofur.

The government has determined the title of Religious Bachelor or S.Ag for graduates of Ma'had Aly or high pesantren. This degree of religious scholars related to the discipline developed by Ma'had Aly is required in one religious scientific group.

Ghofur said pesantren education is distinctive, such as mu is and early education whose status is non-formal education. However, the state has given the same recognition as formal education.