“The issue of building standards will be discussed with kiai (scholars), gus (clerics), and other pesantren stakeholders,” said the ministry’s head of public relations, Thobib Al Asyhar, in Jakarta on Monday.
Thobib said the Al Khoziny incident had drawn serious attention from the Minister of Religious Affairs, who visited the site shortly after the collapse.
“The minister visited a few days ago to better understand the situation, express empathy for the victims, and directly assess the conditions at the site,” he said.
He noted that the minister viewed the tragedy as a lesson for all parties to improve safety and prevent similar incidents.
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“The ministry is committed to working with pesantren to ensure that all school buildings provide a safe and comfortable environment for students,” Thobib added.
He said the ministry would discuss construction procedures with pesantren leaders and coordinate with the Ministry of Public Works and other relevant agencies to raise awareness about proper building standards.
“We will also share knowledge and guidance to ensure future construction projects comply with safety regulations,” he said.
Pesantren, traditional Islamic schools unique to Indonesia, have long contributed to education, culture, and character development.
“Parents should not be afraid to send their children to pesantren. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will continue to monitor and ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” Thobib emphasized.
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Translator: Asep, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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