RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Religious Affairs, Romo Muhammad Syafi’i, delivered a special message to Islamic boarding school students, urging them to pursue knowledge beyond religious studies alone. He emphasized that learning Islam should go hand in hand with mastering science, technology, social studies, and other disciplines.

The remarks were made during a public lecture at the ZAD Al-Insanniyah Foundation in Cipanas, Wednesday, 4 February 2026. The occasion also marked the inauguration of the Jami’ Imam Ath-Thabari Mosque, attended by religious leaders, local government officials, educators, and students.

Syafi’i explained that the values of the Qur’an encompass all aspects of life, including economics, politics, social affairs, science, and technology. Therefore, he said, understanding Islam should not be narrowly confined to ritual worship alone.

“Learning Islam does not mean abandoning science, technology, economics, or other fields,” the Vice minister said. “On the contrary, a comprehensive understanding of Islam makes it easier to master various branches of knowledge.”

He noted that Islamic civilization has historically produced prominent figures who excelled in multiple scientific disciplines while maintaining deep spiritual insight. According to him, this intellectual tradition must be continuously nurtured in Islamic boarding schools, madrasahs, and Islamic educational institutions.

He also praised the achievements of madrasahs and Islamic schools that have increasingly demonstrated excellence in science and technology. He cited accomplishments in research, robotics, and innovation as evidence that madrasahs can serve as centers of excellence.

In a broader national context, the deputy minister stressed the importance of developing high-quality human resources as Indonesia prepares for its long-term development vision, known as Indonesia Emas 2045. He said the country needs a young generation that is intellectually capable, spiritually grounded, physically healthy, and guided by strong integrity.

Moreover, Syafi’i encouraged students to make the most of the educational opportunities available to them today. He emphasized that Indonesia’s future depends heavily on the seriousness and commitment of its younger generation in pursuing knowledge.