Kemenag Regrets Sukoharjo Pesantren Raid, Calls for SOP Review
Kemenag expressed deep concern over a police raid on Pondok Pesantren Hamalatul Quran in Sukoharjo, prompting an internal review by the National Police.
Portal Islam 
This article was first published in Indonesian. Baca versi Bahasa Indonesia →
Kemenag (Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs) has expressed deep concern over the police raid on Pondok Pesantren Hamalatul Quran (an Islamic boarding school) in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java. The incident has drawn widespread attention and prompted the police to conduct a thorough evaluation of their standard operating procedures (SOP) for law enforcement in the field, as cited from ANTARA and other media reports.
According to a report by Republika on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the Head of the Religious Education and Pesantren Division at the Central Java Kemenag Regional Office, Moch Fatkhuronji, voiced his regret over the incident. He noted that the boarding school did not yet hold an official operational permit and that Kemenag had not been involved or consulted beforehand by the police.
Kemenag Coordinates Students' Continuing Education
According to Republika, Central Java Kemenag is currently coordinating with the Central Java Provincial Government and the Sukoharjo Regency Government to ensure that the educational rights of the students are protected. Fatkhuronji explained that most of the students hail from outside Java Island and have temporarily been returned to their respective parents or guardians.
“In accordance with what Deputy Governor Taj Yasin stated, these young students must be saved and they must receive their rights to future education,” Fatkhuronji said, as quoted by Republika.
Furthermore, Kemenag stated that it remains open if the pesantren wishes to apply for operational permits in the future in accordance with applicable regulations, which include upholding national values such as love for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).
Police Evaluation and Response
Meanwhile, according to a report by CNN Indonesia on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, National Police Chief General Suyudi Ario Seto requested that this raid incident in Sukoharjo serve as a lesson and evaluation for all regional police chiefs across various areas.
Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, stated that the Police Chief reminded regional leaders to always be careful, proportional, and prioritize ethics in carrying out their law enforcement duties.
“Our hope, of course, for our colleagues currently serving as regency and city police chiefs, is to reflect and learn from this incident,” Johnny told reporters, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
The police also confirmed that an investigation by the Professionalism and Security Division (Propam) is currently underway as part of internal evaluation steps. As a form of commitment to transparency, the Sukoharjo Police Chief has reportedly been reassigned to facilitate further investigation.
Lessons and the Wasathiyah Perspective
In responding to various social dynamics and law enforcement involving Islamic educational institutions, the spirit of justice, deliberation (shura), and the protection of the learning rights of the younger generation must always be prioritized. Islam consistently teaches the importance of upholding principles of peace and caution in every action, in order to preserve the common good within society.
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُوْنُوْا قَوَّامِيْنَ لِلّٰهِ شُهَدَاۤءَ بِالْقِسْطِۖ وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ عَلٰٓى اَلَّا تَعْدِلُوْا ۗاِعْدِلُوْاۗ هُوَ اَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوٰىۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِيْرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ ﴿٨﴾
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.
Qur'an, Surah Al-Maaida [5]: 8 (Sahih International)
May all parties draw wisdom from this event to continuously improve synergy, maintain peace, and prioritize wise and fair approaches in resolving any issues.
