Aceh – Indonesia, The Islamic History and Culture (SKI) Study Program of the Faculty of Adab and Humanities at UIN Ar-Raniry, in collaboration with the Aceh Cultural Preservation Center (BPK), engaged students in direct learning across four cultural heritage sites in Banda Aceh City through survey activities and meuseuraya, a traditional communal work tradition.
The event, held on October 4–5, 2026, was part of the celebrations for UIN Ar-Raniry’s 63rd Anniversary. Beyond cleaning the heritage areas, the program involved students in directly observing the condition of several historical relics.
Head of the SKI Study Program at UIN Ar-Raniry, Ruhamah, stated that the field activity served as an integral part of student learning while fostering awareness for Aceh’s historical heritage.
“History is not only studied through textbooks and classrooms, but can also be understood through historical relics that exist within society,” she said.
She explained that the four cultural heritage sites visited were the Syahbandar Mukhtabar Khan Tomb Site in Gampong Jawa, Kuta Raja District; the Raja Reubah Tomb Site in Gampong Lamlagang, Banda Raya District; the Tuan Maqdum Tomb Site in Gampong Bitai, Jaya Baru District; and the Jeurat Manyang Tomb Site in Gampong Blang Cut, Lueng Bata District.
At each location, participants observed the conditions of the sites and their surrounding environments. They also cleared the heritage areas of debris that compromised their cleanliness.
According to Ruhamah, the initiative was not solely focused on cleaning the sites. The SKI Study Program also aims to encourage students to get involved in data collection, documentation, research, and public education.
“We hope this activity does not stop at communal cleanup work and site maintenance. Moving forward, we want to encourage students to actively participate in data collection, documentation, research, and educating the public about the importance of preserving historical sites in Aceh,” she noted.
Ruhamah added that the collaboration with BPK Aceh is crucial for strengthening the university’s role in education, research, preservation, and community outreach.
She expressed hope that similar activities would continue beyond the university’s anniversary celebrations through site data collection, joint research, public education, and other conservation initiatives.
“When we preserve historical sites, we are essentially protecting the collective memory and identity of the Acehnese people,” Ruhamah said.
One of the SKI students, Difa Adzkia, shared that the activity provided first-hand experience viewing the historical sites she had previously only studied in lectures.
“By going directly into the field, we can better understand the actual condition of a historical site and why it needs to be preserved,” Difa said.
She added that the meuseuraya tradition taught students about cooperation and shared responsibility in safeguarding cultural heritage.
“As history students, we carry a responsibility to help preserve and introduce our cultural heritage to the younger generation,” she concluded.