Modern: A Spirit That Keeps Moving

The name "Modern" in Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor is more than an identifier; it represents the Islamic educational institution's core mission to engage with the present era while upholding its foundational values. Understanding Gontor requires looking beyond its educational system to the spirit embedded in its name, signifying a commitment to dynamic Islamic education.

Interestingly, the "Modern" moniker wasn't coined by the founders. It emerged early in the pesantren's history after a visiting priest observed a stark contrast to other traditional Islamic boarding schools. Students wore ties and suits, maintained strict discipline, excelled in foreign languages, and participated actively in sports, arts, skills training, scouting, student organizations, and public speaking. The entire pesantren environment appeared vibrant, dynamic, and educational, leading to the "Modern" designation out of admiration.

However, the founders expanded this initial impression. They infused "Modern" with profound meaning, transcending mere fashion or superficial adaptation to trends. It signifies a constantly moving spirit, one that continuously learns, improves, and serves. This evolved from a label into a philosophy, shaping Gontor's entire educational system into a living culture.

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Modern, means of the times; of the times means not standing still, always watching the will of the times, always paying attention to the will of the era. Modern, is a way, an effort to achieve the success of a plan quickly, to advance an ideal easily and simply, concisely, quickly changing, satisfying. Modern means active, not passive, not indifferent to left and right, not heeding the call of the times; and means always moving forward step by step.

The "Pekan Perkenalan Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor" (Introduction Week) dictates that "Modern" means being "of the times." This doesn't imply passively following change, but rather possessing the sensitivity to read the era, understand its anxieties, and respond with knowledge, wisdom, and action, not subservience. Echoing Muhammad Iqbal's view of life as continuous self-perfection and Ibn Khaldun's emphasis on a guiding spirit for progress, Gontor integrates these ideas. Its modernity is built not on admiration for change itself, but on the conviction that all change must be grounded in faith, good conduct, and the aspiration to build an Islamic civilization.

This "Modern" spirit is also defined as active, not passive. Life is presented as a journey of movement, effort, and responsibility. Gontor students are encouraged not to await change but to prepare themselves to be agents of that change.

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Modern means active, not passive.