JAKARTA — Da’wah in the 3T regions (underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost) has become one of the main focuses of Dompet Dhuafa in building religious life in Indonesia. To enhance these efforts, Dompet Dhuafa, in collaboration with the Directorate of Islamic Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia, held an Evaluation Meeting on the Program for the Deployment of Preachers to the 3T Regions on Wednesday (May 14, 2025) at Hotel 101 Jakarta, Jalan Darmawangsa IX, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. In addition to Dompet Dhuafa, the discussion was attended by various program implementation partners from various institutions.
The official opening was conducted by the Director General of Islamic Community Guidance, KH Dr. Ahmad Zayadi, MA, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and religious social institutions in filling the gaps in religious outreach in remote areas across the archipelago. One of the main agenda items in the meeting was to evaluate the success of the program to deploy 1,000 da’is/da’iyahs to the 3T regions during 2025.
This program is part of a national strategy to expand the reach of religious guidance and strengthen religious moderation throughout the country. In the evaluation forum, the Dompet Dhuafa Dai Corps (Cordofa) emerged as one of the strategic partners that made a significant contribution.
Through the program implemented during Ramadan 1446, plus the first five days of Syawal 1446 H, Cordofa deployed 303 dai and daiyah to various remote areas, including border regions and areas with limited access. These dai not only carried out their da’wah duties but also served as community empowerment agents, educators, and religious social facilitators.
In recognition of this contribution, Cordofa received an award plaque from the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia. The award was presented directly by KH Dr. Amirullah, MA, as the Deputy Director of Dakwah Partnership, to Ustaz Awang Ridwan Suhaedy, MA, who represented Cordofa in his capacity as Head of the Dakwah Partnership Department of Cordofa.
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In his speech, Ustaz Awang expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the award. According to him, Cordofa’s involvement in this program is a commitment from Dompet Dhuafa to deliver inclusive and equitable religious teachings to all corners of the country.
“This task is highly valuable and full of challenges. Alhamdulillah, Cordofa responded with great enthusiasm by deploying 303 da’is and da’iyahs to various 3T regions. This recognition from the Ministry of Religion serves as motivation for us to continue doing more for the community and the nation,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that Cordofa’s mission is not merely to deliver religious lectures, but also to be part of the solution to social, educational, and spiritual issues faced by communities in remote areas. Through a holistic and humanistic approach to preaching, Cordofa strives to build spiritual resilience while empowering the community in a sustainable manner.
“Cordofa and all its preachers will continue to strive to build this country through down-to-earth and soothing preaching. We want to be part of the national movement of amar ma’ruf nahi munkar, which not only calls for goodness but also directly accompanies the community in living a more dignified life,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director General of Islamic Education, Ahmad Zayadi, in his guidance, stated that the evaluation results serve as a foundation for expanding the scope of da’wah programs in the future. He revealed that by 2026, the government aims to increase the number of da’is deployed to 3T regions to 1,500 to 2,000 people, as many areas still require sustained da’wah efforts.
“The year 2025 marks a crucial milestone in strengthening da’wah programs in 3T regions. With the excellent achievements, including the extraordinary contributions from Dompet Dhuafa through Cordofa, we are optimistic that this program can be expanded further. We hope this collaboration continues and is even enhanced in the future,” he stated.
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He also emphasized that preaching in the 3T region is not merely a religious mission, but also part of efforts to strengthen national integration and character building.
The evaluation meeting was also marked by a session where preachers who had been working in the field shared their experiences. Many inspiring stories were shared, ranging from the challenges of difficult terrain, limited facilities, to the warm welcome from the local community who longed for spiritual guidance. The testimonies of these preachers further reinforced the urgency of the program and the importance of support from all parties.
Through collaboration between the government and zakat institutions, including Dompet Dhuafa, particularly through Cordofa, the dakwah program in the 3T regions continues to demonstrate tangible impacts. It not only spreads the teachings of Islam as a source of mercy for all creation but also fosters optimism, strengthens brotherhood, and drives progress in communities that have long been overlooked.
Cordofa hopes to continue playing an active role in national da’wah programs while addressing the community’s need for religious guidance that is contextual, relevant, and solution-oriented. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar, ID Humanity
Editor: Dhika