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Pesantren produces national leaders

NU Online  ·  Jumat, 6 Juli 2012 | 11:09 WIB

Sumenep, NU Online
Islamic boarding school (pesantren) is the oldest religious institution in Indonesia. The age of pesantren is much older than the one of this nation. Undeniably, pesantren has largely and continuously contributed to building the unitary state of republic of Indonesia (NKRI).<>

The success of pesantren circles to repel invaders from the beloved country is inseparable from their significant role. Until now, amid chaotic conditions in the country, the best people have remained in pesantren.

The remarks were raised at a discussion attended by such NU scholars as Faqihuddin Abdul Qadir, Salim Khairus Ikhs and Marzuki Wahid at the Institute of Islamic Studies Annuqayah, Guluk-Guluk, Sumenep, Thursday (5/7).

Salim Khairus Ikhs said that the majority of the country's leaders had ever studied inpesantren.

"Gus Dur, Muhammad Nuh, Moh. Mahfud MD, are the figures having ever studied and been produced by pesantren," he said.

Salim added the success of pesantren in producing the nation's leaders was partly because of its long-standing education system in addition to independently applying various education systems which are in line with local cultures.

Even santri (students) who are studying in pesantren, he said, were and had been trained to live independently for no longer depending on their parents.

With independence embedded to the students, according to Abdul Qadir Faqihuddin, after leaving pesantren, they are ready to serve the nation, state and society.

Contributor : M. Kamil Akhyari
Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq