Director General Of Human Rights Agrees With Ministry Of Religion Bina Al Zaytun Instead Of Being Frozen

The head of the Al Zaytun Panji Gumilang Islamic Boarding School arrived at Gedung Sate Bandung to undergo an examination on Friday, June 23, 2023. (ANTARA- Raisan Al Farisi)

JAKARTA - Director General of Human Rights (Dirjen HAM) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) Dhana Putra agreed with the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) development plan by the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) rather than being frozen.

"Despite the controversy that is being discussed by the public, we must not forget the human rights of children who are students in Al Zaytun, especially regarding the right to education," said Dhana when contacted, Saturday, July 15, as reported by Antara.

According to him, if the closure is approved, it will cause problems related to the right to education for thousands of children who become students in Al Zaytun.

Referring to Article 31 paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, Dhana explained that the government must strive and organize a national education system that aims to increase faith and piety, as well as noble morals to educate the nation's life.

The government's steps in responding to the right to education for Al Zaytun students are also in line with the spirit of the Convention on Children's Rights.

"We must also apply the best interests of children in determining the fate of children who become students in Al Zaytun," said Dhana.

Nevertheless, Dhana stated that the management of Al Zaytun does not mean that it has no problems. The issue of openness to the public is considered necessary to be a serious note for Al Zaytun managers.

"After facing this polemic, we hope that in the future the management of Al Zaytun must be more transparent to the public, so as not to cause unnecessary noise," said Dhana.

The Director General of Human Rights is optimistic that the Ministry of Religion's guidance on Al Zaytun will have a positive impact on the sustainability and welfare of the students.

"We believe that the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Minister of Coordinator for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD) and the Minister of Religion (Yaqut Cholil Qoumas) put forward the best interests for children as a consideration not to close Al Zaytun. Moreover, we all know that this National Children's Day is in July," said Dhana.

Previously, Mahfud MD emphasized that the polemic case of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School was still in the status of coaching and would not be dissolved or closed.

"For Al Zaytun it has been handled. Al Zaytun is our Islamic boarding school, let's keep it and build it so that it continues to grow. Because as a boarding school, he has no indication of making a mistake," Mahfud told reporters after attending the Coordination Forum for the Regional Election of Sulawesi in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Thursday, July 13.