National Santri Day 2026 in West Java: 10 Figures Receive Inspirational Figure Awards
The 2026 National Santri Day (HSN) commemoration was a special occasion for consolidating and recognising the role of santri in West Java.
As part of the HSN events, attended by around 1,000 participants from a range of sectors at the Aston Hotel in Cirebon, PBNU Syuriah Council member and Bina Insan Mulia Islamic Boarding School leader KH Imam Jazuli, Lc., M.A., presented the 2026 Imam Jazuli Awards to ten inspirational and influential figures from across West Java.
The event brought together bureaucrats, mass organisations, government representatives and professionals to strengthen collaboration towards a more religious, prosperous and harmonious West Java.
Kiai Imam Jazuli said HSN was not merely a ceremonial occasion to commemorate the heroism of the past, but also an opportunity to reflect on how pesantren values could respond to the challenges of the present day.
“National Santri Day is not merely a ceremonial occasion to commemorate the heroism of the past. Amid increasingly complex changes, HSN is a mirror for reflecting on how far pesantren values can be translated into practical solutions for the community,” KH Imam Jazuli said.
He added that the awards were a personal initiative and an expression of appreciation for the tangible contributions of figures who had inspired younger generations.
“To recognise the contributions of santri who have become a source of inspiration for younger santri, we took the initiative and made a modest effort to offer our appreciation — a personal expression of admiration for these figures — through the 2026 Imam Jazuli Awards for those advancing civilisation. The award in the Inspirational and Influential Figure category for West Java demonstrates that pesantren continue to produce leaders, thinkers and agents of transformative social change,” he said.
Kiai Imam Jazuli also stressed that a pesantren education had never limited santri’s participation on the national stage.
“The sarong and the yellowing pages of classical Islamic texts are not barriers, but a strong foundation from which to reach great heights, shape state policy, advance education and fight for social justice,” said the PBNU Syuriah Council member.
The ten inspirational award recipients and their backgrounds and contributions are as follows:
Dr KH Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal
An alumnus of Cipasung Islamic Boarding School in Tasikmalaya, he holds a doctorate in public administration from Padjadjaran University (Unpad). He is currently Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and is regarded as a consistent advocate of policies supporting the santri community, including as a key figure behind the passage and oversight of national regulations on the Pesantren Endowment Fund.
Dr KH Maman Imanulhaq, M.M.
An alumnus of Baitul Arqom Islamic Boarding School in Bandung and Bahrul Ulum in Tambakberas, Jombang, he completed his doctorate at Unusia. The head of Al-Mizan Islamic Boarding School in Majalengka and a member of the DPR RI is known for speaking out for human rights, tolerance, and the protection of children and women.
KH Dedi Wahidi, S.Pd.
An alumnus of Babakan Ciwaringin Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon and Cirebon’s Swadaya Gunung Jati University (UGJ), he is a senior DPR RI legislator and head of Kampus Hijau Kamplongan Islamic Boarding School. He has contributed to developing pesantren education infrastructure in West Java’s coastal areas and promoting economic self-reliance based on madrasah.
KH Juhadi Muhammad, S.H.
An alumnus of Lirboyo Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, he leads the West Java Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU). He is recognised for consolidating the organisation, empowering the community’s economy, strengthening religious moderation and digitising the management of religious institutions in West Java.
Prof Dr KH Abun Bunyamin
An alumnus of Cipasung Islamic Boarding School in Tasikmalaya and a professor of Islamic studies, he heads Al-Muhajirin Islamic Boarding School in Purwakarta. He developed an integrated education model combining classical Islamic scholarship, modernity and science, which has become a reference for modern Islamic schools in West Java.
Addin Jauharudin (Gus Addin)
An alumnus of Darul Rahman Islamic Boarding School in Jakarta and general chairman of the central board of GP Ansor, he is credited with mobilising millions of young NU cadres through the BUMA initiative and Ansor University, promoting leadership, adaptation to digital technology and economic self-reliance among cadres.
KH Husein Muhammad
An alumnus of Lirboyo and Ali Maksum Islamic Boarding Schools, the Jakarta Institute of Qur’anic Studies (PTIQ) and Al-Azhar University in Cairo, he heads Dar al-Tauhid Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon. Known as a “feminist kiai”, he has contributed through progressive thinking on gender equality in Islam and emancipatory fiqh, earning international recognition.
Drs H Imron Rosyadi, M.Ag.
An alumnus of Babakan Ciwaringin Islamic Boarding School, he served two terms as Cirebon regent. During his leadership, he aligned local government programmes with pesantren and strengthened social safety nets for the public.
Nyai Hj Masriyah Amva
The leader of Kebon Jambu Al-Islamy Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon, she has inspired the public through her Sufi literary works, advocacy for women’s rights and demonstration that female ulama hold equal religious authority in guiding society.
KH Muhammad Musthofa Aqiel Sirodj
The head of KHAS Kempek Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon and general chairman of the Hubbul Wathon Dhikr Council (MDHW), he has consistently built communication between ulama and government officials and promoted nationalism among grassroots santri to help preserve national stability.
In closing, KH Imam Jazuli said he hoped the awards would motivate future generations of santri to continue serving the nation.
“This modest recognition — which, out of necessity, bears my own name, the 2026 Imam Jazuli Award — is once again a personal expression of admiration. We hope it will not simply mark the end of an achievement, but serve as a reminder passed on to today’s generation of santri to preserve tradition, respond to modernisation and continue serving the country,” he concluded.