Minister of Religious Affairs Warns MAN IC Serpong: Do Not Keep Its Success Hidden From Other Madrasahs

Minister Nasaruddin Umar, the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, inaugurated MAN Insan Cendekia (IC) Serpong as a madrasah offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. He urged MAN IC Serpong to share its knowledge with other madrasahs. The remarks were made at the inauguration of MAN Insan Cendekia, Serpong, South Tangerang, on Friday, 22 May 2026. He began by reminding attendees not to be arrogant despite achievements: ‘We, even if we are successful, must not be arrogant, not proud, not patting our chests. For the characteristics of a smart person are that they never pat their chests,’ the Menag said. He also noted that many people become smarter yet more impudent, hoping such people have no place in Indonesia’s future. ‘There are many clever people, but the more clever they are, the more impudent they become. That has no place in Indonesia in the future,’ he said. He then called for no corporate secrets to be kept from fellow madrasahs, urging MAN IC Serpong to share its knowledge with other madrasahs: ‘I urge fellow madrasahs not to have corporate secrets. IC, Insan Cendekia, must not end up hiding its successes from other ICs,’ he said. ‘Our philosophy is the more we open up to others, the more the sky will grant new knowledge for all of us,’ he added. The inauguration was attended by RI Presidential Chief of Staff, Dudung Abdurachman; Director General of Islamic Education (Pendis) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Amien Suyitno; and Special Assistant to the President for Policy Communication Analysis, Dirgayuza Setiawan.