Pesantren as the Bastion of Moderate Islam
The arrival of Islam in Indonesia was unlike that in other contemporary Muslim regions. The violent approach to da’wah was not the common way to spread Islam in Indonesia. Instead, Wali Songo, the ancient Islamic preaching institution in Indonesia, focused on a socio-cultural approach emphasizing inclusivity and peace.
The legacy of Wali Songo has been preserved for centuries in Indonesia. An inclusive, moderate, and peaceful approach is deeply rooted in both personal and Islamic religious institutions in Indonesia.
However, Indonesian Muslims face a contemporary challenge with the emergence of “uninvited preachers” who disrupt the socio-cultural dynamics of Indonesia.
As a result, Islam’s image in the country has been tarnished by several incidents, such as violent acts (bombings) in the name of Jihaad or exclusive acts against followers of other religions.
Pesantren, as an Islamic education institution with significant influence over decades in Indonesia, ought to focus on enhancing the quality of santri. The goal is to prevent the influence of these “uninvited preachers”. Failure to do so could lead to the same situation as seen in several regions of the Middle East.