Transforming Pesantren: NU, Ministry of Religious Affairs, and Civilization

The long-held notion that "NU is a large pesantren, and a pesantren is a small NU" no longer accurately reflects the reality of Nahdlatul Ulama, according to Imam Taufiq, a pesantren leader and professor. Founded in 1926 by pesantren leaders, NU and its affiliated institutions were once nearly inseparable. However, Taufiq argues that NU has transformed into a vast civil society organization with a global reach, driven by a diverse membership including academics, professionals, and diaspora communities. He contends that managing such an expansive organization with a traditional pesantren mindset is insufficient and can lead to stagnation if leadership remains overly personal and paternalistic.

Taufiq also challenges the idea that all pesantren are simply "small NUs." He points out the significant diversity among Indonesia's over 42,000 registered pesantren, which include institutions affiliated with Muhammadiyah and Persis, modern boarding schools teaching coding alongside religious studies, and salafi-style pesantren that may even critique NU's practices. Lumping all these varied institutions under a single label ignores their distinct identities and can lead to biased policy-making, he suggests.

Instead of viewing pesantren as mere branches of larger organizations, Taufiq advocates for recognizing them as independent centers of learning. He highlights their role in contemporary discussions, such as in bahtsul masail (Islamic legal discussions), where centuries-old texts are applied to modern issues like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. This process, he argues, tests tradition rather than just passively inheriting it. In an era where religious discourse can spread rapidly online, the pesantren's ability to critically evaluate information is increasingly vital.

Ultimately, Taufiq asserts that supporting pesantren means preserving one of the oldest traditions of Islamic scholarship. He emphasizes that these institutions have sustained their knowledge through unbroken chains of teachers and students, predating the Indonesian republic itself. Recognizing their independent value and historical significance is crucial for nurturing this enduring intellectual heritage.

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NU is a large pesantren, and a pesantren is a small NU.