The world of Islamic boarding schools is tarnished, according to a national newspaper headline. This began when one of the Islamic boarding schools located in Indramayu It is suspected of deviating from Islamic values and philosophy, particularly the philosophy and values of Islamic boarding schools. The outlook for Islamic boarding schools is grim after several deviant practices were discovered there. It's called the Al-Zaitun Islamic Boarding School.
Essentially, Islamic boarding schools are independent Islamic educational institutions, established as an antithesis to colonial education, with its worker-oriented vision and orientation. Colonial education was completely "not" intended to educate students morally and spiritually; instead, it created sentiments and egos that...block religious values.
The true reality is that the strength and glory of this nation lies in the passion for Islam and Islamic boarding schools, an undeniable fact. Given the various attempts to obscure this, the public is drawn into and trapped in the historical deception perpetuated by propagandists.
They are increasingly bold in influencing the nation's younger generation with slogans against diversity and tolerance, seemingly dismissing Islam as a religion that simply doesn't understand tolerance and diversity. Therefore, the contribution or role of Islamic boarding schools is divided into two major potential areas, as stated by A. Sahal Mahfudz.[1] First Educational potential, second community development potential.
Potential in the Field of Education
The efforts of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in advancing and enlightening the nation are undeniable. Thousands of Islamic boarding schools and boarding schools have helped this nation solidly uphold its values and philosophy. The Kiai (Islamic scholars) are central to this. figure always be the mediator in every problem people and the Nation.
What the kiayai do is educate, care for and protect their foster children to become agents of change. (agent of change) in the future. Through education in Islamic boarding schools, Kiai (Islamic scholars) present societal and national issues to the pesantren community. They then collectively analyze, understand, and seek solutions to the most fundamental issues. The core principles are clear, guided by Islamic knowledge and principles.[2]
If this continues to be done in an effort to safeguard the sovereignty of the nation and state, it is almost certain that in the coming years, national values will be upheld. There will be no more harassment or blasphemy in the name of race, ethnicity, customs, and culture.
Everyone will live without gossiping about each other. The value of tolerance will be upheld. Brotherhood and sisterhood are bound together in the slogan Unity in Diversity. Different yet still one. This is the fruit of education instilled in the souls of the residents of the Islamic boarding school.
Potential in Community Development
Islamic boarding schools were born in order to provide a response to the social situation and conditions of a society that is facing the collapse of moral foundations through the transformation of the values it offers. (enjoining good and forbidding evil) The presence of Islamic boarding schools can be called agents of social change. (agent of social change) who seeks liberation (liberation) to society from all moral evils, political oppression, impoverishment of knowledge, economic impoverishment, harassment, blasphemy and so on.
In essence, Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) serve as a reference point in all aspects of society, including values, virtue, simplicity, independence, sincerity, struggle, and so on. The presence of Islamic boarding schools in society is undoubtedly a positive response to prevent all forms of oppression and blasphemy. Thus, the contribution of Islamic boarding schools is clearly evident in the context of safeguarding national sovereignty and its values.
If both the potential in education and community development can function well, then we are very optimistic that all national and other problems can be resolved. Although this will require a relatively long time and be complex. ongoing process.
There is nothing in the dictionary of our nation's diversity, what is called division, anti-tolerance, blasphemy, oppression, harassment, extremism and so on. All these forms of intolerance have been buried deep within us, continuing to spur us to remain optimistic about becoming a strong and dignified nation.
Therefore, intelligent efforts are needed to reframe and reconstruct the educational system and community empowerment. This needs to be synergized with government programs, including continued collaboration with Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) for the advancement of education and the community's understanding of the importance of national unity based on Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
What is meant by reconstruction here is supporting the strategy of Islamic boarding schools to continue to develop and progress in safeguarding and strengthening the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. In other words, Islamic boarding schools need to be supported and championed collectively. This assistance should not only be in the form of material support but also through prayers, ideas, or suggestions for their advancement. Furthermore, "fighting" here means collectively defending, safeguarding, and caring for them so that they can contribute more broadly to the state and nation.
Let us return for a moment to the statement Samuel P. Huntington about Islam as a civilization that has provided great services to the dark ages of the West, is a fact real, that Islam and its noble values have been able to create a great civilization that can become a unifying religion for all religious communities. Not only Islam itself, but also all religions other than Islam. In the national context, Islamic boarding schools contribute to the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Thomas W. Arnold in his book The Preaching of Islam He said, "You, O Muslims, are more beloved to us than the Romans, even though they have the same religion as ours. You are better at keeping your promises, more hospitable, more restrained from committing injustice, and better at protecting us, but they (the Romans) always force us."“[3]
For a moment, after reading the confession of the orientalist figure above, it can become a new fact that Islam is a religion that loves peace and loves peace. It is important to know that this is mark and the philosophy taught by Islamic boarding schools throughout Indonesia (except problematic Islamic boarding schools, which teach deviations to their students), and to society.
[1] Sa'id Aqiel Siradj et al. Islamic Boarding School of the Future; Discourse on Empowerment and Transformation of Islamic Boarding Schools, (Bandung: Pustaka Hidayah, 1999), 201
[2] M. Dawam Raharjo. The Struggle of the Islamic Boarding School World to Build from the Bottom (Jakarta: P3M, 1985), 18
[3] Bramastiyo Dhieka Anugrah, Criteria for Leaders in Islam, (Uncovering the Problems of Non-Muslim Leaders)., Paper on the Ulama Cadre Development Program, Class X (December 2017), 8
