Former students of an Islamic boarding school in Lombok, Indonesia, joined forces to investigate allegations that their respected head teacher, Ahmad Imanuddin Sumar, sexually assaulted pupils. Their efforts began after Ziadatur Rahmah told former classmate Yusron Azzahidi that Sumar had assaulted her when she was 16; the group then gathered accounts from other students and recorded Sumar allegedly pleading with Yusron to suppress the claims.

The investigation uncovered several testimonies, including one from Sukma Rohana, who said Sumar assaulted her at 17 after inviting her to his home for prayers. The case highlights concerns about sexual abuse in Indonesian Islamic boarding schools, where pressure, shame and demands for silence can prevent allegations reaching court; the students’ campaign ultimately brought them closer together, with Yusron and Zia later marrying.