Nur Chaqiqi, Seblak Pesantren Alumnus, Brings Pride to Jombang at Al-Azhar University in Egypt
JOMBANG — ASWINEWS.COM – Stories of Islamic boarding school students studying abroad often serve as a source of inspiration and reflection. One such inspiring figure is Nur Chaqiqi, a native of Dempok Hamlet, Grogol Village, Diwek Subdistrict. He is the youngest of four siblings, born to Hariyono and Siti Qibtiyah.
A graduate of Aliyah Pesantren Seblak in 2018, Chaqiqi had initially been accepted into the Islamic Family Law program at UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. However, driven by a strong sense of purpose, he chose a different path and successfully passed the selection process to continue his education at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.
In an interview with aswinews.com on Monday, April 14, 2025, Chaqiqi shared, “I enrolled in the Sharia Islamiyah undergraduate program,” during a visit to his alma mater, Aliyah Seblak.
On Saturday, April 12, Chaqiqi was invited to speak as a motivational guest for students at Tsanawiyah and Aliyah Pesantren Seblak. He mentioned that he had postponed his return to Egypt to attend the event. Expressing gratitude for his boarding school experience, he said, “I used to think students at pesantren were troublemakers, but I later realized that wasn’t true.”
Since 2023, Chaqiqi has been pursuing a master’s degree in Shafi’i Fiqh. “I’m currently enrolled in the Shafi’i Fiqh master’s program,” he said.
In Cairo, he and several colleagues run Markaz Tahfidz Maqura.
“Maqura stands for Majlis Qur’an Abu Amru,” he explained.
Chaqiqi added that the center now has four branches—three dedicated to female students, while one, located behind Al-Azhar Mosque, is specifically for male students who wish to deepen their Qur’anic studies.
He also received a teaching assignment from a local sheikh to educate young children.
“It mainly involves Qur’anic literacy,” added Chaqiqi, who was born on November 11, 1999. He noted that his experience studying in Egypt has been relatively smooth.
“Living expenses in Egypt are cheaper than in Indonesia,” he said.
He currently shares a house with seven other master’s students.
“Some of them are my seniors, so I can easily ask for guidance,” he shared.
One of his greatest inspirations was a neighbor, Pak Ainur Rofiq, a teacher at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School.
“He’s like a second father to me,” Chaqiqi said with pride.
The encouragement he received from Pak Ainur Rofiq became even more impactful during his final year of high school.
“The selection process for Al-Azhar is tough,” he admitted. Thanks to this motivation, Chaqiqi achieved excellent results and was even recommended for admission to the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia.
“The recommendation came from KH Luthfi Sahal, an Arabic teacher at Aliyah Seblak who is also an alumnus of the university,” he said.
However, Chaqiqi decided to focus solely on Al-Azhar, following the advice of Ainur Rofiq.
When asked about his future aspirations, Chaqiqi said he dreams of becoming an educator. “Even now, in Egypt, I’ve begun applying what I’ve learned,” he added.
During the same event, Budi Santoso, Head of Aliyah Madrasah at Pesantren Seblak, expressed his pride in Chaqiqi’s accomplishments.
“His achievements can serve as a role model for younger students,” he stated.
He encouraged Chaqiqi to start his teaching career in Indonesia, emphasizing the growing need for passionate educators.
“This role is very much needed in today’s educational landscape,” Budi added.
Nur Chaqiqi began his education at MI Nurul Iman Dempok, then continued to SMPN 1 Diwek. During his Aliyah years, he also studied at Pesantren Al-Ma’arij in Kwaron to expand his religious knowledge.
He stands as a shining example of a high-achieving student. Despite coming from a modest background, his dedication and determination have helped him realize his dreams.
Writer: Zainul Irfasy
Editor: Lukius
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