In 2021, the theme highlighted the role of santri in the digital transformation and their responsibility in shaping a harmonious Indonesian society, blending the spiritual-intellectual with social-practical dimensions. Conclusion
The reality of life within traditional boarding schools often highlights unique socio-cultural challenges that demand modern intervention.
The year 2021 was marked by the full implementation of Law Number 18 of 2019 concerning Islamic Boarding Schools, which officially regulates the trinity of pesantren functions: education, preaching ( da'wah ), and community empowerment. Furthermore, the ratification of Presidential Regulation No. 82/2021 regarding Dana Abadi Pesantren (Pesantren Endowment Fund) placed pesantren into the "mainstream of our national education system". For decades, pesantren education had operated on the margins of the formal system; these legal frameworks represented an "invaluable recognition" of the santri's role in building a future Indonesia rahmatan lil 'alamin (a blessing for the entire universe).
However, the 2021 Santri is not the isolated rural scholar of the 1980s. Today’s santri carries a smartphone. They are fluent in Kitab Kuning (classical yellow books) but also scroll through TikTok. This duality created a unique cultural tension: How does one remain a wong pesantren (person of the boarding school) while engaging with hyper-modern social issues? bokep santri mesum 2021
Like all educational institutions, pesantren were severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis in 2021. The Ministry of Education and Culture reported that the pandemic affected approximately 68 million students nationwide who were forced into online learning, and pesantren were no exception. However, the pondok pesantren faced a unique dilemma. While many schools switched to virtual classrooms, pesantren were mandated by a joint decree of four ministries to continue offline learning. This decision stemmed from the fundamental nature of pesantren education, which relies on direct teaching, communal living, and the inculcation of Islamic values through dormitory life—values that cannot be easily replicated through a screen.
The year 2021 was a pivotal moment for Indonesia’s santri —students of Islamic boarding schools known as pesantren . As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia’s santri community found itself at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, facing social issues ranging from public health crises to the rise of digital extremism, all while preserving their unique cultural identity. This article delves deep into the multifaceted role of santri in 2021, exploring how they responded to social challenges and continued to shape Indonesian culture.
The urgency was profound. Santri were called upon to counter the radical narratives proliferating on social media. As one observer noted, the internet has birthed a new phenomenon called the "santri without pesantren"—individuals who derive their religious knowledge instantly from platforms like Instagram and YouTube, bypassing the strict scholarly traditions of the boarding school. This digital disconnection has often led to fragmented understanding, fanaticism, and sectarian violence online. In 2021, the authentic santri —trained in the classical kitab kuning (yellow books) and under the direct mentorship of kiai —were positioned as the antithesis to this digital chaos. They were encouraged to fill the internet with rahmatan lil alamin (mercy to all worlds) content, showcasing the tolerant, wasatiyyah (moderate) face of Indonesian Islam. In 2021, the theme highlighted the role of
Beyond religious rituals, cultural observers noted in 2021 that traditional Indonesian values—such as sopan santun (respect) towards parents and elders—were beginning to erode within the younger generation, including some santri. Mayor Sutiaji of Malang, speaking during Santri Day, expressed concern over this cultural degradation. In a cultural perspective, values that were once considered the bedrock of Indonesian society were increasingly viewed as "old-fashioned" by the youth, posing a direct challenge to pesantren, which pride themselves on instilling moral discipline. In response, the 2021 theme emphasized fortifying santri culture against destructive external influences, urging santri to preserve their unique identity while adapting to the times.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) collaborated with the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) to launch the , themed "Synergy of ICT Use in Strengthening Religious Moderation." This program targeted pesantren administrators, madrasah educators, and religious instructors, aiming to enhance digital competencies. Remarkably, while the program had trained only 1,000 participants since 2018, in 2021 alone 100,000 individuals registered , with 5,650 coming from pesantren and madrasah backgrounds.
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The year 2021 redefined what it means to be a santri in Indonesia. They are no longer merely students secluded in rural boarding schools; they are digitalpreneurs , agents of moderation , and frontline health responders . The challenges were immense: a devastating pandemic, the shadow of radicalism, the chaotic flood of unverified religious information online, and the struggle to balance tradition with modernity.
To realize this vision, RMI PBNU organized a in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, gathering talented santri to accelerate digital transformation within pesantren. Meanwhile, innovative projects emerged from the grassroots level. A pesantren in Purworejo, Central Java, successfully created an Android-based online recitation application called Santri Stream , designed to connect alumni with ongoing religious studies at their alma maters.
