Manggarai's Gen Z: Devoting themselves to the mosque despite being branded as 'sok alim'

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Amid the stigma that Generation Z or Gen Z is synonymous with an individualistic lifestyle and self-centred orientation, a group of youths in Manggarai, South Jakarta, are showing a different direction. They choose to devote their time and energy to the mosque, while also debunking the perception that Gen Z is far from social concern. Generation Z, now aged around 14 to 29, is often portrayed as a cohort actively seeking identity. However, this is not entirely true for Gen Z in RW 07 Manggarai, South Jakarta, who are members of Ikatan Remaja Masjid (IRMA) Al-Falaah. Dozens of youths active in IRMA, while still in the process of self-discovery, continue to dedicate time to contribute socially through service at Masjid Al-Falaah. IRMA Al-Falaah has existed since 2016. In the beginning, routine activities were limited to reciting Qur’an and studying Islamic religious material every Friday. As time passed, Gen Z members became trusted with increasingly important roles in various major religious activities, such as Maulid Nabi commemoration, Isra Mi’raj, Hijri New Year, Eid al-Adha, and Ramadan. Today IRMA has even established a Qur’an Education Park (TPA) for children aged 3 to 17 in Manggarai as a form of service to the mosque and its surrounding community. Not only do they contribute their labour, some IRMA members who earn an income also contribute financially to support mosque activities that benefit the wider community. “That was around 2024; at first we joined a pesantren kilat event organised by IRMA seniors from the mosque, then we started gathering here more often, and eventually kept joining until now to study the Qur’an,” Akmal said in an interview with Kompas.com at Masjid Al-Falaah, Tuesday (3/3/2025). Akmal’s involvement is not limited to studying the Qur’an. During Ramadan, after the Ashar prayers until the Tarawih prayers end, he spends his time at the mosque helping with the daily iftar (breaking fast) activities. Together with other IRMA members, he is tasked with visiting residents’ homes who are scheduled to donate takjil. Even while fasting, they remain enthusiastic about delivering takjil with a substantial weight. Afterward, IRMA members distribute takjil to residents who break fast together at the mosque. They also prepare Tarawih prayer equipment, such as laying carpets and tidying the worship area.