JAKARTA -— Dompet Dhuafa, together with musicians Is Pusakata and Bandarkopi Jakarta, promoted the spirit of collaboration between music and humanity in a charity concert titled “Sisir Kota Pesisir” (Combing the Coastal City). This event took place on Sunday (10/19/2025) at Bandar Kopi, Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The concert is part of a series of social campaigns and fundraising efforts for education, specifically to build proper schools in coastal areas of Indonesia. Through music and inspirational talks, this movement aims to raise public awareness about the importance of equal access to education in remote areas.
Singer and songwriter Is Pusakata, known for his poetic and humanitarian lyrics, performed in this approximately one-hour concert. Is performed a number of reflective songs in line with the spirit of the Sisir Kota Pesisir movement, while inviting the audience to contribute to the education of children in coastal areas.
Not only promoting kindness, through this action, Is also created a work of art. With the hope that the proceeds will go back to the community in need. Pusakata, as one of the initiators of the movement, invited donations through a mini concert. In addition, he had previously held a T-shirt auction for donations until the school building renovation was completed.
“Anyone who comes (to the mini concert) can donate whatever they can to help repair the school. This ‘Sisir Kota Pesisir’ will continue until I die, insha Allah. Once the school is in good condition, we will move on to another school in need,” said the man whose full name is M. Istiqamah Jamad.
“Music has a way of touching the heart. Through this concert, I hope we can remember that there are many children in remote areas who still dream of having a decent school,” Is said during his performance.
In addition to musical performances, the concert also featured an inspiring discussion session with Dompet Dhuafa, Taman Pusakata, and Bandarkopi Jakarta, discussing how music, community, and social awareness can intertwine to create real change.
“Every ticket purchased today is a small step towards big change. Hopefully, more people will be inspired to help build a future for children’s education in remote areas,” added Is Pusakata.
Read also: A Legacy of Kindness from the Stage: Pusakata Invites Children on a Social Mission to Seram Island
The Coastal City Concert has been part of Dompet Dhuafa’s social movement since 2024, focusing on the construction and renovation of schools in coastal areas, as previously done at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Nahdlatul Ulama, Taman Sejarah Hamlet, West Seram Regency, Maluku.
The school was previously in a concerning condition—with wooden walls and minimal facilities. Through the collective concern of the community, three new classrooms and one teacher’s room are now standing and ready for use.
This activity is also a continuation of the second phase of the Coastal City Combing program, which now targets the construction of a school in MTs Al Ishlah, Pasanea, Central Maluku. As of October 2025, this program has involved more than 580 donors and has successfully raised more than IDR 250 million.
Through this program, Dompet Dhuafa has renovated and built new schools in coastal areas such as MTs Nahdlatul Ulama Taman Sejarah and MTs Al Ishlah in Central Maluku. Now, through the Coastal City Combing: Build Schools for Coastal Children in Maluku campaign, the program continues with the support of the public, musicians, and various creative communities.
In his inspiring conversation, Dian Mulyadi, Deputy Corporate Secretary of Dompet Dhuafa, said, “This is how we (Dompet Dhuafa) collaborate even across faiths, because the principle in Islam is rahmatan lil ‘alamin. Dompet Dhuafa, after a long journey since 2015, feels that it has a lot in common with Is Pusakata. Indonesia is a maritime country, but coastal areas seem to be neglected,“ explained Dian Mulyadi.
He also explained, ”Dompet Dhuafa is open to building large collaborations to overcome social problems. We invite everyone to do good so that collaboration can have a greater impact, one of which is with musicians in the field of education. This is because it is the foundation of social status. If we touch and fix education, then other pillars such as health, economy, and others can be better reached.”
Read also: Combing Coastal Cities: Build a Decent School Movement, Realizing the Dreams of Remote Children
In line with this, Pasha, owner of Bandarkopi Jakarta, said, “We (Bandarkopi) share the same vision in terms of caring for education. Therefore, the actions and movements carried out by Dompet Dhuafa and Is Pusakata are important to promote, and we agree to work together today.”
With the tagline “One Small Step, Big Impact,” Dompet Dhuafa hopes this movement will not only remain on the music stage but will transform into tangible actions that illuminate children’s learning spaces across Indonesia’s coastal regions. Beyond being an intimate music event, this gathering also symbolizes the synergy between art, philanthropy, and community empowerment. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil