The Journey of Kiai Jazuli, from Al-Azhar University Student to Founder of a Pesantren
VIVA – The figure of Kiai Haji Imam Jazuli is one of the modern and innovative pesantren leaders. He is known as an easily inspirational kiai with a background in pesantren Lirboyo education and as an academic at Al-Azhar, Egypt.
Among Indonesian students pursuing education at Al-Azhar, Egypt, Kiai Haji Imam Jazuli himself is known as a true activist. He participated in various student activities such as ICMI Orsat Cairo, KMNU Mesir, student press, and the Ushuluddin Senate of PPMI.
Despite being active in various student activities, he could still manage his time for his education. He is known to have graduated on time. This became a rare phenomenon among Al-Azhar activists at that time. Usually, if graduation is not on time, their organisations stagnate. However, this did not apply to Izul, his nickname.
From Activist to Entrepreneur
Entering the year 2000, Izul chose to continue his postgraduate education. Six years later, he met DR. KH. Nanang Firdaus Masduki, Lc. MM in the Fatmawati area, South Jakarta. Although they had not met for six years, Nanang acknowledged that Izul’s enthusiasm was the same: burning, his speech quick, and his ideas often out of the box.
But there was something different. Izul was no longer a campus activist relying on proposals. He had transformed into an entrepreneur and a ‘merchant of ideas’.
He established PT Fikruna and Fikruna Center, with offices in Jakarta and Bandung. This company is not just a business, but a bridge of knowledge. He helps santri penetrate universities in ASEAN, the Middle East, and Europe. Not just consultation, but escorted right to the campus gate. Something that at the time seemed unprecedented by anyone.
Through this business, he orchestrates Al-Azhar graduate preachers to enter the heart of SOEs and ministries. He knows well the quality of his peers, and he knows where that quality should be channelled.
Through this venture, Izul apparently does not want to merely seek attention by delivering religious lectures that go in one ear and out the other, but dares to take risks by investing in serious training for human resource development based on spirituality.