The recipients are the families of 17 students who tragically lost their lives when the mushala (prayer room) at Al Khoziny Pesantren collapsed on September 29, 2025.
The ceremony took place during the Tahlil Akbar Syuhada Al Khoziny event at the East Java Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU) building.
“Alhamdulillah, we can come together in prayer as we face this tragedy. From the beginning, the President has shown great concern for the Al Khoziny disaster and its recovery. As Social Minister, my role is to provide support to the families, including compensation, social security, recovery assistance, and empowerment programs,” said Minister Saifullah Yusuf.
The Minister was accompanied by KH Abdul Matin Djawahir, Deputy Rais Syuriah of PWNU East Java; KH Abdul Salam Mujib, caretaker of Al Khoziny Pesantren; and HA Jazuli, Assistant for General Administration to the East Java Regional Secretary, representing Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa. Each family received social assistance valued at IDR 15 million (aproximately USD 902) along with basic food packages.
The event began with Quran recitation, including Surah Yasin and Tahlil prayers. Minister Saifullah Yusuf noted that the initial compensation was distributed to families from Surabaya, followed by recipients in Madura, Sidoarjo, Central Java, West Java, and other regions outside Java.
“Yesterday, I visited two survivors, Syehlendra Haical Aditya and Syaifur Rosi Abdillah, at Sidoarjo Hospital. Both lost their legs in the accident. As a fellow pesantren student, I encouraged them to remain patient, sincere, and strong in facing this hardship, because as pesantren students, we learn to accept challenges as lessons and advice,” the Minister said.
On disaster management, the Minister explained that the government follows a standard operating procedure (SOP) consisting of three stages: evacuation, emergency response, and reconstruction/rehabilitation.
In the recovery phase, PWNU East Java is expected to work with the East Java Provincial Government’s Public Works Department to conduct safety audits of pesantren buildings for safety. Beyond compensation, the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) also offers empowerment and psychosocial support to affected families, including business capital assistance and skills training tailored to their potential.
“To provide proper support, Kemensos assesses each family’s specific needs. For example, some may want to start a small business. We first assess, then offer training and provide capital,” said the Minister.
For victims with disabilities, the Ministry collaborates with the National Disability Commission (KND) to provide necessary aids such as prosthetics, wheelchairs, and canes.
“What matters most is encouraging our pesantren students to stay motivated. This tragedy is not the end but a new beginning, and we must help them build a better future and achieve success,” he added.
KH Abdul Matin Djawahir, Deputy Rais Syuriah of PWNU East Java, expressed that the students who died are regarded as martyrs.
“Insha Allah, the Al Khoziny students who lost their lives in this tragedy are martyrs. Although we feel sadness, they have entered paradise. This tragedy teaches us to accept trials in life,” he said.
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Translator: Wili, Azis Kurmala
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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