PESANTREN DAN DAKWAH MULTIKULTURAL

Abstract

Abstract The study of pesantren is still interesting for researchers as it is inseparable from Muslim life in Indonesia. Since its presence, the pesantren aims at educating prospective Muslim propagators who would understand Islam well (tafaquh fi al-din) and local wisdom different from one place to the others. Recent phenomenon shows that the Indonesian pesantren is vulnerable to the infiltration of new Islamic stream that conveys Islamic mission (rahmatan lil alamin) in more radical ways. Many acts of violence in this country are always associated with this radical Islamic stream. However, radicalism is in fact contrary to the pesantren’s tradition that teaches Islam with humanistic and tolerant approaches. This article will address the following questions: how does dakwah in the pesantren respond to the acts of violence conducted by radical Muslims? What efforts have the pesantren done and how should dakwah in the pesantren be conducted to prevent religious radicalisation? The results of this study show that dakwah by means of radical movement does not constitute an “indigenous” product of the pesantren. Rather, it is imported by a certain pesantren from other part of the Muslim world. Multicultural dakwah approaches which are performed legally, constitutionally and emphatically have been initiated by the pesantren and the government. Nevertheless, cooperation from multi-stakeholders within Islamic community is needed to increase and intensify such efforts.