Auditorium of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA SPs UIN Jakarta, SPs NEWS - The Graduate School (SPs) of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta held the 1657th Doctoral Promotion Exam in the Auditorium Room of Prof. Dr. Suwito, MA on Thursday, January 15, 2026 with Aisyah's promovenda.

Aisyah is a student of the Doctoral program in Islamic Studies with a Concentration in Tafsir. His dissertation is entitled "Embodied Practice in the Tradition of Ḥalaqah Al-Qur'an at the Al-Hikmah Integrated Qur'an Tahfidz Boarding School, Cirebon".

This study dissects how the practice of memorizing the Qur'an is not just a cognitive activity, but a process that involves all physical dimensions of humans.

Through the lens of embodied practice theory, Aisyah evaluates the tradition of ḥalaqah as a tangible manifestation of the effort of iḥyā' al-Qur'ān or to revive the institutionalized Qur'an. Al-Hikmah Cirebon Islamic Boarding School became a research locus because of its success in integrating classical traditions with modern education management.

The results of this study reveal that the internalization of Qur'anic values occurs through the framework of embodied knowledge. Sacred values do not only stop in the brain's memory, but permeate the movements, behaviors, and consciousness of the students functionally and contributively.

Using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological framework, Aisyah delves into the subjective experiences of students and supervisors. He not only acts as an observer, but also conducts participatory observations and in-depth interviews to capture phenomena that are often overlooked by other researchers.

This approach allows Aisha to explore the deep meaning of the dimensions of the body, voice, space, to strict discipline in ḥalaqah. Micro things such as breathing rhythm and sound arrangement turn out to be holistic elements that form the religious identity of a Qur'an memorizer.

One of the interesting findings in this dissertation is that the tradition of ḥalaqah goes beyond verbal memorization of a mechanical nature. Aisyah emphasized that this process is the formation of a "habitus Qur'ani" that is forged through repeated body discipline every day.

The upright sitting posture, the preserved vocal rhythm, and the pattern of social interaction in  the ḥalaqah  circle performatively construct the identity of the students. They are not only memorizing the text, but are in the process of becoming a figure of the "Walking Qur'an" that reflects sacred values in daily life.

This research provides fresh criticism of the tendency  of Living Qur'an studies in Indonesia which has been considered too descriptive. Aisyah offers a sharper analysis by introducing  a more dynamic and in-depth concept of process-based embodied practice.

Theoretically, this dissertation engages in dialogue with the world's great thinkers such as Thomas J. Csordas, Michel Foucault, Saba Mahmood, and Rudolph T. Ware III. This integration of Western thought and Islamic traditions gives a strong academic distinction to Aisyah's writings.

As a result, this study proves that the mechanism of taḥfīẓ in modern Islamic boarding schools is a tool for transforming sacred texts into a living spiritual and social practice. This tradition serves as a bridge for the contemporary Muslim community to stay connected to revelation through real sensory experiences.

Aisyah successfully defended her dissertation under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Yusuf Rahman, MA and Prof. Kusmana, MA, Ph.D, and was tested in front of a board of examiners consisting of Prof. Dr. Zulkifli, MA, Prof. Dr. Yusuf Rahman, MA, Prof. Kusmana, MA, Ph.D, Prof. Muhammad Zuhdi, M.Ed, Ph.D, Prof. Dr. Iik Arifin Mansurnoor, MA and Dr. Lilik Ummi Kaltsum,  MA.

After paying attention to the dissertation writing, the comments of the examiner team and the promovenda's answers, the examiner team determined that Aisyah graduated with the title of Very Satisfactory. Aisyah is the 1657th Doctor in the field of Islamic Studies, in the doctoral program of the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. (YES)