Take a look at Banyuanyar. From October to December 2020, Banyuanyar has been bustling with various activities. As the oldest pesantren in Madura, it seems to possess an unending vitality, creativity, and resilience—almost 2.5 centuries strong!
A glance at their website, banyuanyar.net, or their social media platforms, reveals just how busy this pesantren is. One of the most notable events recently held at Banyuanyar is the 2020 National Santri Festival (Pena Santri), initiated by the Barul Ulum Banyuanyar Alumni Association (Peradaban), a network of alumni spread across Indonesia.
The event featured a wide range of activities, including the National Tarbiyah Diniyah Festival, Cinematography Workshop, National Seminar, National Webinar, and the Peradaban Award. These activities, truly modern and dynamic, show that as one of Indonesia’s oldest Islamic boarding schools, Banyuanyar remains adaptive to the times.
The Origin of the Name “Banyuanyar”
The name “Banyuanyar” traces back to the school’s founder, KH Istbat Bin Ishak, who discovered a new water source while digging a well in what is now Potoan Daya Village, Palengaan District, Pamekasan Regency, Madura. Remarkably, nearly 2.5 centuries later, this water source continues to flow, undisturbed by Madura’s typically dry climate.
It was due to this discovery that the pesantren became known as Pondok Banyuanyar, meaning “new water source,” though its official name is Darul Ulum Banyuanyar.
KH Istbat began establishing Pondok Banyuanyar in 1787. On a small, arid piece of land, he built a simple prayer room or *musala*. In this humble space, KH Istbat began teaching the Qur’an and mentoring local students. Known for his patience, persistence, and simplicity, KH Istbat left behind a legacy, urging his descendants to continue developing the pesantren so it could produce students capable of meeting the challenges of their time.