Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia hosted the inaugural World Muslim Scout Jamboree (WMSJ) in Jakarta, September 9-14, 2025, drawing 15,333 participants from numerous countries. The event, held at the Cibubur Camping Ground in East Jakarta, comprised 7,149 male scouts, 6,349 female scouts, and 1,718 scout guides.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs hailed the Jamboree as a crucial step in developing future Muslim leaders. “Thank you,Indonesia. This is a historic momentum that will give birth to the next generation of leaders,” stated Deputy Minister romo Muhammad Syafi’i during a visit to the campsite on Saturday.
The WMSJ originated with East Java’s Darussalam Gontor pesantren (Islamic boarding school),recognized for its commitment to fostering leadership,independence,and Islamic values. Syafi’i affirmed full support for the Jamboree’s agenda, emphasizing its alignment with preparing future Muslim leaders.
“I highlight leadership and independence education as the core of the Scout movement here. All of them exist in pesantrens,all of them are in WMSJ,” he said. He also underscored the event’s inclusivity, noting that interaction between participants from diverse backgrounds would cultivate leaders capable of embracing all groups. “Our differences are not an obstacle; instead, they will give birth to leaders who can embrace all groups,” he remarked.Anang Rikza Masyhadi, secretary general of the Gontor pesantren alumni forum (FPAG), explained the Jamboree was conceived as a response to a global decline in morality and ongoing conflicts. He expressed hope that the WMSJ would cultivate ambassadors of peace, influencing others through compassion and brotherhood.
“When global morality declines, WMSJ offers an alternative. it is where the younger generation meets, interacts, and learns together for a peace mission-not only for Indonesia but also for the world,” Masyhadi said.
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Nabil Ihsan
editor: M Razi Rahman
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