Ibaraki. The Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi, officially inaugurated the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Attaqwa Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Friday.

In his speech, Ambassador Heri expressed his appreciation for the spirit of mutual cooperation among Indonesian Muslim communities in Japan in establishing the first pesantren in the country.

"This pesantren was built through mutual cooperation by Nahdliyyin (Nahdlatul Ulama followers) and Indonesian Muslim communities in Koga and its surrounding areas, supported by parties outside Japan, especially the Indonesian community. I hope that the NU At-Taqwa Pesantren in Koga will become an educational center for young Indonesians currently in Japan," said Ambassador Heri Akhmadi, who is also a Member of the Special Branch Management Committee (PCINU) in Japan.

"This includes economic activities for its operational self-sustainability. Thus, obligatory worship, education, and social transactions can be carried out in a balanced manner and benefit the students and the congregation," he added.

The construction of the Nahdlatul Ulama Attaqwa Islamic Boarding School in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, began in August 2023, with a land area of 911.22 square meters and a building area of 12x8 meters.

To date, construction refinements are still ongoing to meet the needs of teacher accommodation, additional toilets, bathrooms, kitchens, air conditioning, and water filtration requirements, with a total estimated budget ranging from Rp 200 million to Rp 300 million.

Accompanying Ambassador Heri at the inauguration were the Chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Community (KMII) in Japan, Muhammad Zahrul Muttaqin, the Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Management Board (DKM) in Tokyo, Muhammad Muharram Hidayat, and the Education Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Amzul Rifin.

The inauguration ceremony of the Pesantren was also marked by the Nahdlatul Ulama Movement Cadre Education Activities (PD-PKPNU) and the Nahdlatul Ulama Middle Leadership Education (PMKNU).

Ambassador Heri emphasized the need for Nahdliyyin in Japan to improve their understanding of organizational concepts and the struggle of Nahdlatul Ulama, as outlined by NU founders such as K.H. Hasyim Asy'ari and K.H. Wahab Hasbullah.

"I appreciate this cadre training to increase the Islamic and nationalist insights of NU members in Japan in the friendly, moderate, and inclusive dissemination of Islam. I emphasize the importance of NU having a network from Hokkaido to Fukuoka to become a partner of the Indonesian Embassy in the development of Indonesian citizens in Japan. Considering the increasing number of Indonesian citizens living in Japan as workers, students, or temporary visitors," added Ambassador Heri.

The inauguration of the Pesantren and the opening of PD-PKPNU and PMKNU began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and Salawat (blessings upon the Prophet), followed by the singing of the Indonesian national anthem "Indonesia Raya" and the song "Subhanul Wathan." The event concluded with the cutting of a tumpeng (a cone-shaped rice dish) by the pesantren development committee, represented by the Chairman of the Pesantren Development, Rahmat Sawedi.