Jakarta, FU Online News – The Faculty of Ushuluddin at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta organized a Qur’an Literacy Program for new undergraduate students of the 2025 cohort. The program was part of the extended Academic and Student Orientation (PBAK), held on Wednesday (September 10, 2025) from 15:30 to 17:00 WIB in several classrooms according to each study program.

The program was divided into several locations:

1. Qur’anic Studies (IAT) in the Student Center Hall.
2. Hadith Studies (IH) in the 4th Floor Theater Room.
3. Islamic Theology and Philosophy (AFI), Comparative Religion (SAA), and Sufism Studies (IT) in the former Library Room (Room 101).

The activity was scheduled for two sessions, on September 10 and September 17, 2025. The learning materials were included in the 2025 PBAK Handbook distributed earlier to new students.

Academic and Spiritual Foundation

Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Dr. Eva Nugraha, M.Ag., explained that this program aimed to equip students with the fundamental skills of reading, understanding, and studying the Qur’an in line with the faculty’s academic character.

“Qur’an literacy is a very important first step, as it not only sharpens academic skills but also instills moral integrity and scholarly ethics from the very beginning,” he stated.

In addition to theoretical learning, students were also introduced to thematic tafsir applications that are expected to strengthen their academic, ethical, and spiritual values.

Support from HIQMA as Technical Partner

The program was supported by HIQMA (Association of Student Qaris and Qari’ahs) of UIN Jakarta, which provided instructors to guide students in Qur’an recitation. Before the mentoring sessions, students took a placement test to map their Qur’an reading ability. Based on the results, each student would receive guidance according to their level.

Purpose and Background

HIQMA Chairman, Wildan Miftahudin, emphasized that the main objective of this activity was to assess the Qur’an reading abilities of new students.

“Through this mapping, the faculty can identify those who are not yet able to read the Qur’an properly. From there, follow-up mentoring will be determined so that each student has sufficient Qur’anic literacy,” he explained.

According to Wildan, Qur’an reading skills are a basic requirement for Ushuluddin students. “As future scholars in Islamic studies, students must at least have the ability to recite the Qur’an correctly. That is why this program was chosen as an early agenda to serve as a foundation for further development,” he added.

Implementation Mechanism

Wildan further explained that the Qur’an reading assessment program has been a regular agenda each academic year, but in 2025 it was carried out with a more structured approach.

“This year, we emphasized detailed assessment aspects, including letter recognition, articulation (makhraj), phonetics, tajwid, vowel length, and fluency. HIQMA served as the technical partner to ensure that the process ran systematically,” he elaborated.

The placement test categorized students into several levels: non-readers, basic, intermediate, and fluent. Based on this classification, the faculty and HIQMA would prepare appropriate mentoring for each group.

Challenges Faced

Wildan noted that the program was carefully planned through intensive coordination between the Faculty of Ushuluddin and HIQMA. The main focus was to prepare assessment instruments, assign examiners, and manage logistics so that all 506 new students could take the test in a single day.

“The biggest challenge was the large number of participants with diverse abilities. Additionally, the limited number of examiners required very strict time management. Nevertheless, the rubric we designed is expected to produce fair and objective evaluations,” he said.

Future Hopes

Wildan also mentioned that beyond the test, the program could be developed into more intensive learning initiatives, such as talaqqi (recitation sessions), tahsin training, and tajwid theory classes tailored to each level.

“Our hope is that students become more aware that Qur’anic literacy is the foundation of Islamic studies. Academically, they will be better prepared for Qur’an-related courses. Spiritually, we hope it will cultivate love for the Qur’an and motivation to improve their recitation and practice its values in daily life,” he concluded.

Conclusion

Through the Qur’an Literacy Program, the Faculty of Ushuluddin is committed to ensuring that new students are not only able to recite the Qur’an properly but also uphold it as a source of values in their academic journey, moral conduct, and spiritual life at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

(Ishmatun Nisa)