Introducing the Holistic Life of Ma’had al-Jami’ah: UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon Holds Mandatory Sharing Session for SN-GES 2025 Awardees on Spiritual Discipline, Daily Routines, and Character-Building in the Islamic Residential Program
Cirebon, 11 September 2025 – As part of the Inauguration and Orientation Program for the Syekh Nurjati Global Excellence Scholarship (SN-GES) 2025 awardees, a sharing session on Ma’had al-Jami’ah was held today at UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon. The session took place from 01:00 PM in the International Office and Partnership Room on the 5th floor of the Siber Building, bringing together international students, and university officials in a hybrid format. Organized under the theme “Daily Activities in Ma’had,” the event aimed to introduce incoming SN-GES awardees to the academic, spiritual, and residential life within Ma’had al-Jami’ah, a mandatory residential unit for all international scholarship recipients. Attendance was compulsory as living in the ma’had is a key requirement throughout their study period at the university.
The sharing session was facilitated by Bryan Setiaji, an alumnus of Ma’had al-Jami’ah and representative from the International Office and Partnership unit, who provided firsthand insights into daily life within the ma’had. He emphasized that Ma’had al-Jami’ah is not merely a dormitory but a holistic educational environment designed to cultivate religious commitment, personal discipline, and strong communal bonds among residents. From Monday evening after Maghrib until Saturday morning before Subuh, students follow a structured routine centered on intensive religious programming. This includes obligatory congregational prayers (Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr), Qur’anic recitation, and classical Islamic text studies, all intended to deepen theological understanding and strengthen spiritual awareness. The session also highlighted weekly traditions such as marhabanan—a devotional gathering involving praise and prayers for the Prophet Muhammad SAW—and muhadoroh, a public speaking practice in Arabic that enhances communication skills and cultural immersion.
Strict regulations govern life within the ma’had to ensure a safe, healthy, and academically conducive environment. Residents are required to maintain neatness, observe modest dress codes, refrain from leaving the premises after 10:00 PM WIB, and completely abstain from smoking anywhere in the compound. International students are further advised not to engage in external organizational activities during their studies so they can remain focused on academic responsibilities and university-led development programs. These rules are not viewed as mere restrictions but as essential components of character-building education rooted in the integration of knowledge (ilmu), faith (iman), and moral integrity (akhlak). Violations are taken seriously and may result in formal sanctions, underscoring the importance of adherence from the very beginning of their journey.
The event was officially led by Lala Bumela Sudimantara, Ph.D. Director of the International Office, alongside Ivo Yanuar Dinasta, S.S., M.Appling as Secretary, Ghina Amaliya Sholihah, M.Sos and supported by the Global Engagement Team (GET). Notable attendees included SN-GES awardees from Thailand, Senegal, Yemen, and the Philippines, such as Arif Yeekajik, Babou Seck, Hamdi Mujeb Thabet Sharaf, Jadene Querod Zainal, and Tasneem Wado, all of whom participated actively. The hybrid setup ensured inclusivity despite logistical challenges, reflecting the institution’s commitment to equitable access and comprehensive orientation. Through interactive discussion and detailed explanation, the session successfully bridged cultural and procedural gaps for new international students. It served as both a practical guide and a philosophical introduction to campus life at UIN SSC.
This sharing session equipped SN-GES 2025 awardees with a clear understanding of the expectations, routines, and values embedded in Ma’had al-Jami’ah. Beyond logistical information, it conveyed the deeper purpose of the ma’had as a space for integrating intellectual growth with spiritual and ethical development. By immersing students in a disciplined, values-driven environment, UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon reaffirms its mission to nurture globally competent graduates who are academically excellent, spiritually grounded, and ethically responsible. The experience is designed to shape well-rounded leaders capable of contributing meaningfully across diverse societies. With this foundational session completed, the new cohort is now better prepared to embark on their academic journey with clarity, confidence, and commitment.
Author: Resa Diah Gayatri