Sexual Violence Case Uncovered, Ministry of Religious Affairs Halts New Student Intake at Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School in Jepara

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has temporarily halted activities related to the admission of new male and female students at the Al Anwar Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) in Tahunan sub-district, Jepara Regency, Central Java. This measure follows a case of alleged sexual violence perpetrated by one of the caregivers at the boarding school against a female student.

The Head of the Early Childhood Education and Islamic Boarding Schools Division at the Central Java Kemenag Regional Office, Moch Fatkhuronji, revealed that his office is monitoring the case of alleged sexual violence against a female student by a caregiver at Ponpes Al Anwar. He stated that the Directorate General of Islamic Education (Ditjen Pendis) of Kemenag has issued a recommendation letter containing three main points.

“Among them is the temporary suspension of new student registrations at the concerned boarding school until all issues are thoroughly resolved. Secondly, the dismissal of the educational staff who is the suspected perpetrator,” Fatkhuronji explained when interviewed by Republika on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

He added that if Ponpes Al Anwar fails to implement these two measures, Ditjen Pendis Kemenag will deactivate the boarding school. Fatkhuronji noted that so far, Ponpes Al Anwar has complied with the recommendations from Ditjen Pendis Kemenag.

According to Fatkhuronji, Ponpes Al Anwar began suspending new student admissions on 12 March 2026. “Then, the deactivation of teaching duties for Imam Abi Jamrah was also signed on 12 March and he has been deactivated,” he said.

He explained that the dismissal of the boarding school educational staff refers to Article 13 of Minister of Religious Affairs Regulation (PMA) Number 73 of 2022. This article regulates the dismissal of educational personnel who commit sexual violence.