Hijab polemic at Defence University: Al Washliyah grateful young generation committed to religious teachings
The chairman of Al Jam’iyatul Washliyah, KH Masyhuril Khamis, has urged the public to view the polemic over the use of hijab for prospective female students at the Defence University (Unhan) in its entirety. According to him, the matter should be addressed based on the applicable context and regulations, while continuing to regard religious education and the formation of faith-based character among the younger generation as important.
Kiai Masyhuril stressed that religious education and the formation of faith-based character among the younger generation are important to continue cultivating. “We should be grateful if the younger generation has a commitment to carrying out the teachings of their religion,” Kiai Masyhuril said on Monday (24/8/2026).
Al Washliyah invited all parties to instil religious values in Indonesia’s generation, rather than encouraging them to abandon their religion. “We are grateful that our children are committed to practising their religion,” said Masyhuril, who also serves as chairman of the Halal Division at the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).
He assessed that strengthening religious values is very important in building the morals of the nation’s generation. Weak faith can be one of the factors that makes a person easily fall into various deviant behaviours. “Corruption, gambling, adultery and other immoral acts occur because their faith is weak,” he said.
Therefore, Kiai Masyhuril asked the public not to rush to conclusions in responding to the hijab issue within Unhan. According to him, the matter must be viewed based on the applicable context and provisions so as not to give rise to mistaken assessments.
He also reminded all parties not to impose their will in a way that contradicts state regulations. According to him, the resolution of the matter must remain within the corridor of applicable rules and provisions. “Do not impose desires that contradict state regulations,” he said.