UIN Public Relations – Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin (SMH) State Islamic University (UIN) Banten, in collaboration with Ma’had Al-Jami’ah, is hosting the 2026 National Santri Day Seminar to also commemorate the 64th anniversary of UIN SMH Banten. The event, themed “Outstanding Santri: Integrating Knowledge and Values to Build a Competitive Generation in the Global Era,” was held in the Rectorate Auditorium on the 3rd floor of Campus 2 at UIN SMH Banten on the morning of Thursday, October 22, 2026.
The series of events began with a group recitation of the tahlil. As a tangible expression of social concern for others, UIN SMH Banten distributed aid to 50 orphans and underprivileged children, with the total amount of assistance reaching Rp19,555,000.
In his remarks, which also officially opened the event, the Rector of UIN SMH Banten, Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Ishom, M.A., emphasized the importance of transforming the role of santri in modern society. According to him, santri should not be content merely to be part of society; rather, they must be able to take on the role of catalysts for change and future leaders..
“Santri are like anchors that anchor and integrate with the community. However, with the Pesantren Law and the momentum of Santri Day, it is now time for santri to not only be anchors, but also to become ships. ”You are the successors to the ulama’s struggle to uphold national unity and, at the same time, the leaders of the future,” emphasized Prof. Dr. H. Muhammad Ishom, M.A..
Furthermore, the Rector of UIN SMH Banten added that mastery of practical knowledge, underpinned by a strong foundation in religious tradition, is a vital tool for santri. These skills are considered crucial so that students can meet the challenges of an increasingly dynamic world and possess a high level of global competitiveness without losing touch with their authentic Islamic values.
Meanwhile, the Chair of the Serang City Forum for Interfaith Harmony (FKUB), K.H. Matin Syarqowi, served as the keynote speaker to provide an in-depth analysis of the strategic role of Salafiyah pesantren education in shaping an outstanding generation. In his presentation, K.H. Matin Syarqowi highlighted the long history of the struggle to establish Santri Day, which was not simply granted as a gift, but rather the result of the movement and perseverance of pesantren leaders, including the initiative of the Banten Salafiyah Islamic Boarding School Council (MPS) in advocating for regulations and state recognition.
K.H. Matin Syarqowi also emphasized the fundamental role of Islamic boarding schools as formal and non-formal educational institutions that have the same rights as other educational institutions, rather than being merely religious entities. Drawing on constitutional foundations such as the 1945 Constitution and the National Education System Law, he advocated for political fairness in budgeting and the establishment of a Competency-Based Equivalency Certification Agency. This step is considered important so that the actual academic knowledge mastered by the students—both those who live on campus and those who commute—receives fair and proportionate recognition from the state.
Through this seminar, UIN SMH Banten hopes to strengthen the academic capabilities and moral character of the students. It is hoped that the 64th Anniversary and National Santri Day 2026 will help foster a generation that is independent, adaptable to technological advancements, and strongly committed to actively contributing to the nation’s development on the global stage
The post The Transformation of the Role of Santri in the Global Era: UIN SMH Banten Holds a Seminar for National Santri Day first appeared on Spirituality, Intellectuality, Professionalism.
