UNDIP, Semarang (March 22) – In commemoration of Nuzulul Qur’an, Universitas Diponegoro held an event titled Nuzulul Qur’an and Education: Building National Character Based on Qur’anic Values Towards Golden Indonesia 2045. The event featured Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, M.Ed., Minister of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2024-2029 period, as the keynote speaker. Held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, after the communal Tarawih prayer, this event was part of a series of Ramadan activities organized by the Diponegoro Campus Mosque, which daily invites speakers from various academic disciplines.
It is well known that Surah Al-‘Alaq, the first revelation of the Qur’an, marked the beginning of the Prophethood (nubuwwah). The Cave of Hira on Jabal Nur, Makkah City, witnessed the descent of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (shalallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on the night of the 17th of Ramadan. Other narrations suggest it occurred on the 21st or 24th night of Ramadan. The wisdom contained within the Cave of Hira is closely linked to Surah Al-‘Alaq (the 96th chapter of the Qur’an), also known as Surah Iqra’, which consists of 19 verses. The opening verses of this Surah emphasize the command to read (Iqra’).
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, M.Ed., explained that in the context of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad SAW, Iqra’ carries a profound meaning, referring to the command to read, learn, and disseminate knowledge. Iqra’ is not merely a directive to read but also to seek knowledge and delve into the depths of understanding. This command highlights the significance of education, knowledge, and literacy in Islam. Furthermore, Iqra’ has a broader implication—humans must continuously seek knowledge, learn from experiences, and strive for self-improvement.
This Nuzulul Qur’an commemoration serves as a moment of reflection for all attendees, particularly the younger generation and educators, to strengthen Qur’anic values in their lives and Indonesia’s educational landscape.
By addressing this important theme, Universitas Diponegoro reaffirms its commitment to playing a role in shaping national character based on the noble values of the Qur’an. Through this study session with Prof. Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, it is hoped that attendees—especially educators and the younger generation—will gain insights and inspiration to implement education rooted in Islamic values, paving the way for Golden Indonesia 2045. To achieve progress, one must first attain intelligence. (Ut & Titis – Media Relations)
