multicultural attitudes in an Islamic boarding school of South Sulawesi – Indonesia

Abstract

This qualitative study examines examples of multicultural attitudes in pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. It employs focus group discussions (FGD), in-depth interviews and participatory observations research methods to figure out multicultural life at Pesantren Darul Istiqamah (DI), a non-denominational pesantren in Maros, South Sulawesi—Indonesia. The research subjects were ustad (teacher), students (santri), and kyai (religious leaders) of the pesantren. The data were analyzed, contrasted and compared systematically through an inductive qualitative approach. The researcherss conclude that pesantren have their own perspectives about multiculturalism derived from the holy Koran without adopting Western theories. Their views fundamentally reflect an opinion that human beings are created with differences, so, diversities in language, race, and religion are inevitable and therefore people should respect each other. This philosophy underpins curriculum, teaching-learning process and interactions inside/outside of the pesantren which are inclusive and equally valued all diversity.

Keywords:

• Multicultural attitudes
• Islamic Boarding School
• differences
• pesantren
• Indonesia Introduction

Public interest statement

Pesantren as a model of Islamic educational institutions derives from the fourteenth-century Islamic education system, especially in Southeast Asia. Pesantren has a long history that even preceded inceptions of all countries in the region, including Indonesia. Following the western media and policymakers, pesantren is frequently regarded as the center of teaching extremism and radicalism to Indonesia’s young generation. This research showed that pesantren strongly promoted the importance of empathizing to others regardless of their races, colors, languages and religions. In other words, pesantren accentuated multicultural attitudes, such as respect, tolerance, and recognition of diversities inside and outside of their contexts. These values are embedded and highly emphasized in pesantren’s daily life and activities. The pesantren’s principle of diversity is taken from the Holy Koran and prophetic traditions without considering Western multiculturalism theories.

Acknowledgements

The researchers thank to santri, ustadz, DI religious leaders upon their valuable time as well as their beneficial information to this study. The researchers are also indebted to the colleagues for their feedbacks to make this study much deeper in terms of data and analysis.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no direct funding for this research

Notes on contributors

Muhaemin Latif

Muhaemin Latif is a lecturer at Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Alauddin Makassar, Indonesia. He is a faculty member of Ushuluddin and Philosophy. His research interests are pesantren studies, multiculturalism issues, Islamic educational leadership, Modern Islamic theology, and contemporary Islamic thought.

Erwin Hafid is a lecturer at Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Alauddin Makassar, Indonesia. He is currently working in the Faculty of Education and teacher training. His research interests mainly focused on Islamic educational management, prophetic tradition, teacher training, and curriculum integration.