How Islamic boarding schools build water sovereignty

At Pondok Pesantren Al-Ashriyyah Nurul Iman in Bogor, Indonesia, students are engaged in more than just religious studies. A significant unit of the pesantren's enterprise is its bottled water factory, Ointika, which produces water using hexagonal reverse osmosis technology.

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We are taught by Abah to read prayers and shalawat before producing, so the water becomes more blessed.

Five students, including 21-year-old Malik Albana from Citayam, Bogor, are actively involved in the daily production. Malik explained that before production begins, a student leads a prayer and recites shalawat, believing it imbues the water with blessings. This integration of spiritual practice into a commercial venture highlights a unique aspect of the pesantren's operations.

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What is learned here is not just religious knowledge.

Malik shared that the late founder, Habib Saggaf bin Mahdi bin Syekh Abu Bakar, instilled a comprehensive approach to education. This included not only religious texts but also practical life lessons, such as how to walk properly to avoid spreading dust or damaging footwear. The pesantren emphasizes character development through everyday actions, from managing water taps to running a business.

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If you walk like that, first, it's not good for health because dust flies and can be inhaled by others. Second, it's not good economically because the sandals get damaged quickly.

This holistic approach, Malik noted, distinguishes Nurul Iman from other Islamic boarding schools. Education here extends beyond traditional religious curricula to encompass essential life skills and entrepreneurial training, preparing students for a wider range of future endeavors.

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That is what I think makes this pesantren different from others.