Cirebon, NU Online
The Rabithah Ma'ahid Islamiyah of Nahdlatul Ulama (RMINU) has realized possible big challenges faced by pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). While the founders and the leaders of pesantren are destined to die. In overcoming the various challenges, the pesantren have to reactivate their long-standing networks built by their leaders, especially with NU and other pesantren.<>

"Pesantren have formed NU to liberate themselves from (the continuing bondage of) deprivation. The ancient clerics (kiai) never offered themselves to be kiai and be respected. They first used to take action in addressing the existing problems," said the Secretary of RMINU KH Miftah Faqih at a meeting held in Pesantren Kempek, Cirebon, Tuesday (30/9).

According to Kiai Miftah, pesantren should strengthen their networks. The pesantren figures have to put aside their sectoral ego for threats to the pesantren and the community are in sight. The kiai have to pay more attention to their (long-standing) networks despite possible threats of Wahhabism, especially posed from the Middle East.

Moreover, in the context of terrorism, he said, the label of pesantren as Islamic education centers sowing the seeds of unity in the community had been hijacked by (terrorists) to commit violent crimes in the name of religion.

"So we as a pesantren community should not be careless," he said in the meeting attended by some 50 santri from various pesantrens in West Java.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq