Indonesian Islamic Boarding Schools Hope Congress Yields Transformation Roadmap

The Rabithah Ma'ahad Islamiyah Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (RMI PBNU) anticipates that the 35th NU Congress, scheduled from August 27-31, will generate policy directions to strengthen the transformation of pesantren, or Islamic boarding schools. RMI is also urging that a roadmap for pesantren development be included in the congress's strategic recommendations, especially in light of recurring violence and narratives that allegedly discredit these Islamic educational institutions.

KH Hodri Arief, Chairman of RMI PBNU, stated that discussions on strategic congress agendas fall under the coordination of the program and recommendations commission. However, RMI specifically desires that the NU's roadmap for pesantren be accommodated in the congress's decisions. "RMI specifically hopes the NU roadmap, particularly for pesantren, can be accommodated. Our priority programs are Pesantren Transformation, Pesantren Empowerment, and Violence Prevention," Kiai Hodri told Republika on Wednesday (July 29, 2026).

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RMI specifically hopes the NU roadmap, particularly for pesantren, can be accommodated. Our priority programs are Pesantren Transformation, Pesantren Empowerment, and Violence Prevention.

According to him, the issue of pesantren is a significant concern that needs to be addressed at the congress. Besides the continuous incidents of violence within pesantren environments, RMI also highlights the emergence of framing that is considered detrimental to the image of pesantren. "The issue of recurring violence, alongside framing that discredits pesantren. For example, some problems or cases that occurred one or two years ago are being revealed again. A pesantren kitchen caught fire, and it was narrated as the pesantren being burned by a mob," he said.

Previously, Kiai Hodri outlined at least seven crucial issues requiring attention during the 35th NU Congress discussions. He presented these points during a pre-congress focus group discussion (FGD) themed "Violence in Residential Educational Institutions" at the PBNU office in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 28, 2026). He explained that the first issue is the weakening of spirituality in pesantren education, noting that the relationship between kiai and santri is shifting away from the traditional teacher-student dynamic.

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The issue of recurring violence, alongside framing that discredits pesantren. For example, some problems or cases that occurred one or two years ago are being revealed again. A pesantren kitchen caught fire, and it was narrated as the pesantren being burned by a mob.