Fourth, due to their close interactions with other nations along the trade routes in the Indian Ocean, pesantren teaches our nation’s children how to deal and strategize with other nations, especially Europeans (now Americans) intending to dominate Southeast Asia.
Fifth, pesantren teaches our nation’s children to maximize and utilize all the economic potential and resources of this country. This is why pesantrens are located near water sources and natural resources.
The education imparted by the founder of Jam’iyyah NU shows the role of pesantren in continuing the struggle of Wali Songo in helping our nation’s children preserve the collective memories of our past glory, our experiences with foreign nations, and our sacrifices for the nation and homeland.
This is achieved by maintaining various traditions, rituals, ceremonies, and all sorts of religious, artistic, and cultural practices. Such as the tradition of tomb visits, paying respects to the landmarks of the first Islamic spreaders or the ancestors who founded the first villages. These practices connect one generation to the next, from one community to another, thereby preserving national solidarity, unity, and togetherness.
Scholars and students, who are crucial pillars of pesantren, stand at the forefront in guarding the Indonesian nation, as pesantren has historically contributed significantly to the foundation of Indonesia. Thus, it’s hard to believe that someone who helped build a house would destroy it.
Hence, when someone claims to be a scholar or a student from a pesantren but doesn’t love the homeland or wishes to harm Indonesia, their status as a student or scholar should be questioned.
References:
- Wahjoetomo, Perguruan Tinggi Pesantren Pendidikan Alternatif Masa Depan, (Jakarta: Gema Insani Press, 1997).
- Abdurrahman Mas’ud, Intelektual Pesantren Perhelatan Agama dan Tradisi.
- Ahmad Baso, Kyai Haji Hasyim Asy’ari: Pengabdian Seorang Kyai Untuk Negeri.