UNU Jogja Traces Islamic Scholars’ Legacy Through Auliya Pilgrimage on National Santri Day 2026

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) conducted a pilgrimage to the graves of prominent Islamic scholars across the Special Region of Yogyakarta on Thursday, October 22. The activity was part of the 2026 National Santri Day commemorations, honoring the scholars’ struggles and reflecting on their contributions to the development of Islam and the nation.

The pilgrimage was attended by university leaders, lecturers, administrative staff, and students following the National Santri Day ceremony on campus.

The group began its visit at the grave of Kiai Nur Iman in Mlangi, an Islamic scholar who played a significant role in spreading Islam in Yogyakarta. Through his preaching and religious teaching, Kiai Nur Iman helped establish Mlangi as an important center of Islamic education.

The group then visited the graves of KH Muhammad Munawwir, a prominent Qur’anic scholar and founder of Al-Munawwir Islamic Boarding School in Krapyak, and KH Ali Maksum, a respected Islamic scholar who served as Rais Aam of the PBNU Syuriyah (Supreme Council of Nahdlatul Ulama) from 1981 to 1984 and served as the caretaker of Krapyak Islamic Boarding School. The visits honored their contributions to Islamic education, particularly Qur’anic studies, which remain an important part of Yogyakarta’s Islamic boarding school tradition.

Director of Pesantren Affairs at UNU Jogja, Irhas Badruzzaman, said the pilgrimage was part of the university’s efforts to preserve religious traditions and follow the example of the scholars’ dedication. He added that National Santri Day provided an opportunity to remember the scholars’ contributions to the nation and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), while drawing lessons from their struggles for future generations.

He explained that NU-specific religious practices, including visiting graves, are introduced to the university community, including students, through classroom learning. This initiative reflects UNU Jogja’s commitment to preserving Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah traditions so they remain understood and practiced by younger generations.

Meanwhile, Director of Aswaja Affairs at UNU Jogja, Ahmad Hujaj Nurrohim, explained that visiting the graves of auliya (righteous Muslim figures) is one of the traditions of Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah.

“This tradition serves as a means of remembering the scholars’ struggles and piety, as well as practicing tawassul through prayer while seeking blessings from Allah SWT,” he said.

He added that, as a university rooted in Nahdlatul Ulama values, UNU Jogja seeks to preserve the pilgrimage tradition so it remains known, understood, and practiced among students and the wider university community.

The pilgrimage was led by UNU Jogja Vice Rector for Pesantren Affairs, Dr. Abdul Ghoffar, M.BA. Also in attendance were Edy Musoffa, caretaker of UNU Jogja’s men’s Islamic boarding school; Ahmad Jalaludin Majdy, caretaker of its women’s Islamic boarding school; and Udin Kusuma from UNU Jogja’s mosque affairs division.

Reporter: Latifah