Thursday, October 2, 2025

Al-Khoziny Pesantren Tragedy: Between Dust, Tears, and Prayers

JOICE FITRA AZKA (30802300028)

Tears and prayers mingled as news of the collapse of the Al Khoziny Islamic Boarding School in Sidoarjo, East Java, wrenched the community’s hearts. On Monday afternoon, September 29, 2025, just as the students were preparing to perform Asr prayers, the sound of crumbling concrete shattered the tranquility. Fifty-nine people were reportedly trapped beneath the rubble, some clinging to a thin glimmer of hope. Beneath the dust and rubble, lies the bitter story of how a space that should have been a place to seek knowledge and peace was instead transformed into a sea of ​​pain.

Figure 1. 
Source: Patoppoi. 2025

At the scene, the search and rescue team continued to struggle through the remains of the destroyed building. They raced against time, seizing the golden opportunity to save every life that might survive. One by one, bodies were pulled out, some greeted with grateful sobs, others adding to the growing sorrow.  Photos of concrete debris collapsing onto classrooms bear silent witness to the fragile safety of what should be a safe place for children to study.

Figure. 2
Source: AP Photo/Trisnadi. Liputan6.com. 2025.

This incident left not only physical wounds but also deep trauma for the victims and their families. The Islamic boarding school, usually filled with chanting prayers, was now silent. However, amidst the tragedy, solidarity emerged: the local community, volunteers, and even the government all worked together to provide assistance. The tragedy at Al Khoziny serves as a reminder that the safety and quality of educational buildings are not mere formalities, but a matter of life and death. Hope now rests on recovery efforts, so that the prayers of the students are no longer held captive by the rubble.

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