In less than 50 days in Serang Regency, specifically in Tanara Village and Pedaleman Village, Tanara District, the UGM KKN-PPM Tanara Nusantara Unit has successfully implemented 140 work programs.
All these programs are derived from the overarching theme of UGM KKN-PPM Tanara Unit: “Strengthening Tourism Potential to Support the Revitalization of Syekh Nawawi Al Bantani Religious Tourism in Tanara.”
Muhammad Syauqy Noer Yuda, the UGM KKN-PPM Tanara Unit Coordinator, mentioned several activities to strengthen Tanara’s position as a religious tourism village.
These include an MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) week involving over 30 business groups, covering healthy product awareness, product safety, nutritional information, halal certification, packaging, and marketing through various channels.
“We are grateful to the Serang Regency Government for their full support in ensuring the success of all work programs, from planning and execution to monitoring and evaluation,” said Muhammad Yuda, during the launch of national-standard homestays in two villages, Tanara and Pedaleman, on Monday (Aug. 14).
Additionally, the KKN students developed a village tourism website that includes a village tourism map integrated with AR (Augmented Reality) technology to provide a unique tourist experience.
Yuda explained that Tanara Village is the birthplace of Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani. Most tourists visiting Tanara seek spiritual experiences, particularly in religious culture. Notable tourist spots in Tanara include the Tanara Grand Mosque, the Al-Qur’an Park, Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani’s childhood home, the Buntung Tower, and the tomb of Prince Sunyararas.
Tanara Village can attract over 1,000 visitors daily during the Haul tradition, a commemoration of Syekh Nawawi Al-Bantani, which is always held in the month of Shawwal (Islamic calendar).
According to Yuda, the event attracts tourists from various regions across Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke, and even abroad. Moreover, Tanara Village often hosts pilgrims from various regions during other significant months in the Islamic calendar. The economic potential of the influx of tourists has yet to be fully maximized by the residents of Tanara.
“Many tourists stay in other areas because Tanara does not yet offer accommodations. Therefore, one of the KKN-PPM UGM programs is to assist the community in establishing and launching homestays,” he explained.
Although the KKN program is nearing its end, Yuda hopes that the work programs they have implemented will begin a more optimal effort to realize Tanara as a world-renowned Religious Tourism Village.
“This success certainly requires active collaboration from all stakeholders involved,” he added.
Discussing Banten, Serang, and Tanara inevitably involves the long history of the Indonesian archipelago, its people, and its civilization. This history is intrinsically linked to the nation, the state, and the land of Indonesia.
Therefore, it is essential to highlight the figure of Syekh Nawawi Al-Jawi Al-Bantani, a prominent religious scholar and intellectual born in Tanara, Serang, as an attraction for tourists, particularly those interested in Islamic intellectual works, which is both an idea and a significant aspiration.
The Regent of Serang, Ratu Tatu Chasanah, stated that the Serang Regency Government Team, along with the Ministry of Tourism Team, conducted a study in 2021, which established the development of Syekh Nawawi Al-Jawi Al-Bantani Religious Tourism in Tanara through the development of cultural heritage trails.
“I would like to inform you that the final draft of the Serang Regency’s Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPD) for 2025-2045 designates the development of Syekh Nawawi Al-Jawi Al-Bantani Religious Tourism Area in Tanara as a game changer or super-priority. This is our effort to realize our significant ideas and aspirations,” the regent explained.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Donnie