Understanding Brigade Joxzin, A Yogyakarta-Based Social and Community Organisation
Brigade Joxzin (Jogja Islamic Never Die) is a civil society organisation (Ormas) comprised of young people that concentrates on social and community work. The Yogyakarta-based organisation frequently organises religious study circles and Islamic greetings ceremonies.
Mohamad Novweni, a member of Brigade Joxzin’s Legal and Human Rights Team, explained that Brigade Joxzin is a civil society organisation operating in the social and community sector. The organisation was established as a forum for Muslims, particularly young people.
“It was initially led by Heri Prasetyo, known as Sotong, and a group gathered to establish Brigade Joxzin. Previously, there was the older Joxzin, and this (Brigade Joxzin) is the youth contingent,” Novweni said when contacted on Friday 27 February 2026.
The organisation was established in the 2000s in Yogyakarta, specifically in the Prawirotaman area of Mergangsan district.
“Brigade Joxzin was established in Prawirotaman and its declaration took place in front of Hotel Matahari in Yogyakarta City,” he said.
Although established long ago, Novweni noted that Brigade Joxzin only acquired legal status as a mass organisation in the past year. According to him, the organisation now has thousands of registered members.
“Currently, Brigade Joxzin has more than 6,000 members based in Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), namely in Sleman Regency, Bantul Regency, Gunungkidul Regency, and Kulonprogo Regency,” he stated.
Novweni revealed that Brigade Joxzin has recently expanded to Central Java.
“Brigade Joxzin has just opened a new regional office in Purworejo,” he said.
Novweni added that every Brigade Joxzin member must pledge to maintain security in DIY.
“We have pledged to actively participate in maintaining security and order in Special Region of Yogyakarta,” he said.
Regarding Brigade Joxzin’s activities, Novweni explained that the organisation frequently organises religious activities. These activities take place regularly across each Brigade Joxzin regional office.
“We are active in religious activities such as study circles and Islamic greetings, which we conduct regularly at each regional office. For example, after the Sleman office, we move to Bantul and Gunungkidul—this is one of our commitments to religious outreach. Additionally, we are also active in social activities such as fundraising,” he said.
Regarding the name Brigade Joxzin, which has a public image associated with street gang organisations, Novweni deferred the matter to public opinion. However, the civil society organisation has sought to dispel negative public perceptions through concrete actions and initiatives in the social and community sector.
“We want to try to dispel public perceptions about this, because we frequently conduct positive activities such as study circles, Islamic greetings, and social activities such as fundraising for orphanages,” he said.