Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 13:15 WIB

Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar called on the public to uphold the dignity of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and avoid negative portrayals of these institutions. He stressed that pesantren have long served as moral and cultural pillars of Indonesia’s civilization.

“I’m deeply concerned by recent reports that cast pesantren in a negative light. For centuries, pesantren have shaped Indonesians into civilized and ethical individuals,” said Minister Nasaruddin in Jakarta on Tuesday (October 15, 2025).

His remarks followed public backlash against a Trans Media program that satirized santri life, which many considered disrespectful to pesantren traditions. In response, Trans Media issued a public apology to the kyai and the pesantren community.

The Minister emphasized that pesantren are not just religious schools but centers for character and moral formation.

“Let’s work together to protect their honor,” he urged.

He also commended the pesantren tradition of forgiveness and expressed confidence that kyai and santri would respond to the issue with wisdom. The Minister added that he would visit several pesantren in East Java to strengthen ties with religious leaders.

“Public trust in pesantren continues to grow,” he noted. “Where there are respectful people, there are dignified leaders — and that spirit is what pesantren have cultivated for centuries.”

(humassk)