Cleric
Chairman of the East Java's Maarif NU Prof. Dr. KH. Abdul Haris said here recently that kiaiship had a respectable place in society, since it is through the kiai that the spirituality of the society is established and guarded.
"Prophet (Muhammad PBUH) said al-‘ulama waratha al-anbiya (the ‘ulama is the inheritor of the prophets). The hadith shows that characteristics that commonly attach to the prophets, such as honesty and cleverness and even the willingness to save society are part of the ‘ulama’s personality," he said.
According to Kiai Haris, on account of these characteristics and the power of his leadership, the kiai has a very close relationship with his surrounding communities, including loyal and trusted followers who ask him to lead them in religious and worldly matters.
In addition, he added, the leadership of certain kiai was reinforced through their leadership role in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren).
He was of the view that the kiai are the spiritual agents in addition to becoming intellectuals providing knowledge and therefore they could become a center of power.
"The most important thing in regard with the center of power is that this situation could also create a possible polarization of power since the existence of many kiai in a village could create several centers of power." (Masdar)
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