Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah, a prominent figure in Indonesian Islamic organizations and a commissioner at the National Commission for Child Protection (KPAI), died Sunday at Fatmawati Hospital in Jakarta, according to multiple reports. She was 48.
The news of her passing circulated widely among members of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest independent Muslim organization, with confirmation coming from Muarofah, the head of the Fatayat NU branch in Kendal, Central Java. “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. Has passed away, the Chair of KPAI and Chair of the PP Fatayat NU, Friend Hj. Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah, at Fatmawati Hospital, today Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 08.25 WIB,” Muarofah stated.
Secretary of the Fatayat NU Kendal branch, Evanaimatul, described Maimunah as a dedicated and militant leader in the fight for the rights of women and children. “We have lost a leader who was dedicated and militant. May she be accepted into Jannah, may her deeds be accepted by Allah SWT and may all her sins be forgiven,” she said.
KPAI also released a statement on its official Instagram account, expressing profound grief over the loss. “Today we lost a leader, a mother, and an example who meant so much to us at the Indonesian Child Protection Commission,” the statement read. The commission highlighted Maimunah’s unwavering commitment to child protection in Indonesia, noting that her dedication, care, and advice would continue to inspire their perform.
Born in Jombang, East Java, on May 11, 1978, Margaret Aliyatul Maimunah was the daughter of KH Mohammad Faruq and Hj Lilik Chodijah Aziz Bisri. She received her foundational education within a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) environment, studying at Pondok Pesantren Denanyar Jombang from junior high through high school. She continued her education at the State Islamic Institute (IAIN) Sunan Ampel Surabaya, earning a bachelor’s degree, and later pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Indonesia, completing a Master’s degree in Women’s Studies in 2009.
Maimunah’s organizational involvement began early, with active participation in student government, scouting, and various school activities. During her university years, she held leadership positions within the Indonesian Muslim Student Movement (PMII), serving as Chair of the Kopri PMII Rayon Adab (2000–2001) and Chair of the Komisariat PMII Adab Cabang Surabaya Selatan (2001–2002).
Within the IPPNU (the NU’s youth organization for women), she served as General Secretary (2006–2009) and then as Chair (2009–2012). She continued her ascent within NU structures, becoming a Coordinator in the Fatayat NU’s economic division (2009–2015) and later General Secretary (2015–2020) before being elected Chair of the PP Fatayat NU.
Her commitment to women and children’s issues extended to her role as a KPAI commissioner, first for the 2017-2022 period and then reappointed for the 2022-2027 term. She was also affiliated with the Women’s Research Institute (WRI), an organization focused on research and advocacy related to women’s issues.
