A new dawn for dakwah regeneration in eastern Indonesia has officially risen. The Al-Kautsar Muhammadiyah Orphanage in Merauke, in collaboration with preachers from the Community Da'wah Institute (LDK) of the Central Board (PP) of Muhammadiyah, successfully held the Muhammadiyah Student Preacher Training 1, which took place from March 6–8, 2026.
Carrying the substantive theme "Ilmu Amaliyah, Dakwah Ilmiyah" (Practical Knowledge, Scholarly Da'wah), the program was more than just a conventional public speaking training. Held at Muhammadiyah Schools in Merauke, the event marked a milestone as the first student preacher cadre training in Merauke directly affiliated with the Regional Leadership of the Muhammadiyah Student Association (PD IPM) Merauke.
A distinct touch was evident in the training curriculum. The initiator, Dolly Riri Ramadhanu Jamel Sutiyan, S.Ag., an alumnus of the Al-Quran and Tafsir Studies (IQT) program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), class of 2025, introduced a fresh perspective to student dakwah.
Participants were not only trained in etiquette and rhetoric on stage, but were also encouraged to explore dakwah based on their personal interests and talents. The highlight came on the second night during the "Dakwah Showcase" session.
In this session, the aspiring young preachers were given a platform to express Islamic messages through various fields of expertise, making dakwah feel more dynamic and relevant to the younger generation. "Alhamdulillah, with the successful holding of this first Student Preacher program, we hope it will bring positive impacts in the future. Thank you for all the support from various parties, and we apologize for any shortcomings in this training," said Dolly on Saturday (28/3/2026).
The significance of this moment was reflected in the presence of several prominent figures who offered their moral support. Among those in attendance were Suwarna, S.Pd., M.Pd., General Secretary of the Regional Leadership (PWM) of South Papua; Rini Lestari, S.Pd., Chair of the Regional Leadership of Aisyiyah (PWA) South Papua; Drs. H. Jayadi, M.T., Chair of the Regional Leadership of Muhammadiyah (PDM) Merauke; and Sukiyem, S.Pd., Chair of the Regional Leadership of Aisyiyah (PDA) Merauke.
Support also came from principals of Muhammadiyah junior and senior high schools across Merauke, the Chair of PD IPM Merauke, as well as the board of caretakers of the Al-Kautsar Orphanage.
The Chair of PDM Merauke, Drs. H. Jayadi, M.T., expressed his highest appreciation for the successful organization of PDPM 1. He emphasized that this initiative responds directly to the need for regeneration within the organization.
"This program is truly excellent and serves as a strong foundation for developing and regenerating future preachers. Initiated by Ustaz Dolly, it is hoped that this activity will produce tangible and positive outcomes for the advancement of our da'wah," he stated.
Through PDPM 1, Merauke now has a new generation ready to spread the message of Islam in ways that are both intellectual (ilmiyah) and practical (amaliyah). The success of this event proves that geographical distance is no barrier to fostering progressive innovation in da'wah.
The spirit ignited within Muhammadiyah institutions in Merauke sends a strong signal that the future of Islamic outreach in South Papua lies in the hands of a creative, ethical, and forward-thinking generation.
Writer: Dwi Kurniadi
Editor: Fika Annisa Sholihah
Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid
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