Profile Of Panji Gumilang, A Figure Viewed By Al Zaytun Indramayu Islamic Boarding School Which Was Highlighted Due To Various Controversy

Panji Gumilang (PHOTO.ANTARA)

YOGYAKARTA Panji Gumilang Profile is receiving attention from the public due to various controversies which later became the subject of discussion. Some of his statements even went viral on social media. Then, who exactly is he?

Quoted from various sources, Panji Gumilang has the full name Abdussalam Rasyidi Panji Gumilang. He is not a random figure. He is not only known as a religious figure, his name is closely related to the founder of the Indonesian Islamic Boarding School. From the foundation, Panji then founded and led the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School, a religious institution built in Indramayu. The Ponpes was built on August 13, 1996 and was inaugurated by President BJ Habiebie.

Panji Gumilang was born on July 30, 1946 in Sembung Anyar Village, Dukun District, Gresik Regency, East Java. He has a childhood name, namely Abdussalam Rasyidu Panji Gumilang. His childhood education was pursued at the People's School (SR) which was then followed by non-formal education in the religious field in the afternoon.

Not much information contains Panji Gumilang's education level both formally and informally. However, some media said that Panji Gumilang had studied at Pondok Modern Gontor, but did not finish.

Panji is also said to have attended a university, namely at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, taking a concentration of Islamic History and Culture, Faculty of Adab. During his college he was also active at the Ciputat branch of HMI.

Panji Gumilang is also said to have been active in the alumni organization of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta and has also served as Chair of the UIN Syarif Hidyatullah Alumni Association for two terms from 2006 to 2013.

Interestingly, Panji Gumilang was awarded the Honoris Causa Doctorate in Management, Education and Human Resources by the International Management Center of the Association (MCA), Revans University, an unaccredited action learning university based in Buckingham, England.

Panji Gumilang was also trusted as a Rabithoh 'Alam Islami officer, one of the largest non-governmental Islamic organizations in the world. He served at the Malaysian Islamic Ulema Headquarters Sabah in the Da'wah revision (1982-1989). In Malaysia, he also served as President of the Indonesian Sabah Malaysia Family Association (PERKISA).

The name Panji Gumilang himself several times drew attention due to controversy. Quoted from various sources, in 2011 he was in the spotlight for being associated with the Islamic State of Indonesia (NII). However, he denied the allegations.

In addition, in 2015 Panji was also caught in a case of document forgery at the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School. The case was even handled directly by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police Headquarters. As a result, Panji was found guilty. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison by the Indramayu District Court and locked up in Indramayu Prison.

Then in 2021 Panji again received quite a lot of attention. He is suspected of being involved in a criminal act of sexual abuse with the victim of a former employee.

In addition, the Panji Gumilang controversy which also received criticism from the public was the mixing of male and female worshipers when holding Eid prayers, giving permission for adultery activities to their students, and the most severe thing was to question the Al Quran.

Due to the controversy, thousands of residents around Indramayu held a demonstration. They considered the teachings conveyed by Panji to be heretical and not in accordance with the sunnah of Islam.

In addition to Panji Gumilang's profile, visit VOI.ID to get other interesting information.