FMIPA UII – The Islamic University of Indonesia (UII) expressed its deepest gratitude to Gus Baha (KH. Ahmad Baha’uddin Nursalim) and Prof. Quraish Shihab, Lc, M.A., marking exactly one year and one day since their last visit on 4 December 2023. “Let us rejoice and join in this gathering of knowledge that, God willing, is full of blessings,” said UII Rector, Mr. Fathul Wahid, in his opening remarks at the Ngaji Bareng (Qur’anic study session) themed Understanding the Qur’an by Emulating the Prophet held on Thursday, 3 Jumadil Akhir 1446 H / 5 December 2024 at the Prof. K.H. Abdul Kahar Muzakkir Auditorium, UII.

Mr. Fathul also addressed comments from several attendees who questioned the singing of Indonesia’s national anthem, Indonesia Raya, during the event. He explained that this is a value consistently upheld by UII, as the university was founded on a fusion of Islamic and national principles—hence the name Al-Jami’ah Al-Islamiyyah Al-Indonesiyyah (Islamic University of Indonesia). In his opening, which also served as a prelude to the study session, the Rector encouraged all participants—both those attending in person and those joining via UII’s YouTube live stream—to elevate themselves spiritually, moving from being muhibbin (those who love) to mustami’in (attentive listeners), and ideally to muta’allimin (knowledge seekers) by participating in ngaji bareng together.

He also explained the significance of the event’s title. “Why do we say meneladan (to emulate) instead of meneladani (to set an example)? Because meneladani means giving an example, while meneladan means taking example. So let us take the example of the Prophet, not attempt to give one to him,” he said while also serving as the moderator for the session.

This edition of Ngaji Bareng with Gus Baha and Prof. Quraish Shihab received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public. This was evident from the high enthusiasm of attendees, with all quota slots filled quickly, and the large online audience. The event was watched by over 280,000 viewers on UII’s YouTube channel and flooded with hundreds of positive comments. Among them was a message from the account @madhani05: “Thank you UII, I always follow every annual event with Gus Baha and Prof. Quraish… If only it could be held every three months… I truly long for sessions like this, even if only online.” Another from @kedai.ck24 wrote: “Subhanallah walhamdulillah, grateful for the great blessing that Allah has given us. Allah sent Gus Baha at a time like this in Indonesia. May Gus Baha and Prof. Quraish be granted good health and long lives, amen.”