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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Gontor at 100: Charting a Course for Civilization

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • The Gontor Islamic boarding school is reflecting on its first century and its future role in civilization.
  • A national seminar discussed the pesantren's contribution to the 21st century, focusing on integrity and economic empowerment.
  • Key themes include developing leaders with integrity and leveraging endowments (wakaf) for community economic independence.

As the Darussalam Gontor Modern Islamic Boarding School marks its centenary, a national seminar convened to ponder its legacy and future trajectory. The event, attended by alumni and academics, posed a critical question: after a century of education, where will Gontor lead its civilization?

Indonesia does not lack smart people. However, Indonesia still needs more leaders who are honest, have integrity, and are committed to the people.

— Dr. K.H. Romo R. Muhammad Syafi'iHighlighting the need for ethical leadership beyond mere intelligence.

The discussions, framed by a speech from Indonesia's Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. K.H. Romo R. Muhammad Syafi'i, centered on the pesantren's evolving role in the 21st century. The minister outlined four core ideas, emphasizing that 100 years is not merely a historical marker but a pivotal moment for shaping the direction of the times.

A central theme was the imperative for "Integrity Leadership." Syafi'i stated, "Indonesia does not lack smart people. However, Indonesia still needs more leaders who are honest, have integrity, and are committed to the people." This highlights a perceived paradox in national development, where educational progress doesn't always correlate with moral leadership. The pesantren's mission, therefore, extends beyond producing intelligent individuals to cultivating ethical leaders who embrace responsibility with honesty and courage.

Pesantren must become centers for the economic empowerment of the community.

— Dr. K.H. Romo R. Muhammad Syafi'iEmphasizing the pesantren's role in fostering economic self-sufficiency.

Furthermore, the seminar stressed the need for "Economic Independence and the Spirit of Wakaf." Syafi'i urged, "Pesantren must become centers for the economic empowerment of the community." This call broadens the pesantren's function beyond moral education to actively drive economic development, aligning with Indonesia's 2019 Pesantren Law that mandates community empowerment as an integral part of their role. The revival of 'wakaf' (endowments) was presented as a key instrument for achieving this economic self-sufficiency.

Don't just be job seekers, but also job creators, community drivers, and future leaders.

— Deputy Minister of Religious AffairsEncouraging graduates to become agents of economic and social change.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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