100 Years of Gontor, Wamenag: Don't Think Only for Indonesia

PONOROGO - Entering the age of 100, Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor is encouraged to take a bigger role at the global level. Deputy Minister of Religion (Wamenag) Muhammad Syafi'i assessed that the pesantren which has produced many national figures is no longer enough to think only for Indonesia, but must also contribute to the world community.

The message was conveyed by the Minister of Religion, commonly called Romo Syafi'i, when opening the National Pesantren Kiai Sarasehan which was held by the Gontor Alumni Pesantren Forum and the Gontor Alumni Forum in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Saturday (20/6).

According to Romo Syafi'i, Gontor has become one of the most influential pesantren in Indonesia. Its reputation is even known to foreign countries.

"Gontor is one of Indonesia's legendary pesantren. I meet friends abroad, when talking about pesantren, they answer Gontor. That is, Gontor and Indonesia are difficult to separate," said the Deputy Minister of Religion to reporters.

He assessed that the big name of Gontor was also a great trust. As a pesantren that has received widespread trust from the community, Gontor is required to continue to be relevant to answer the needs of the time.

According to him, the programs carried out by Gontor so far have exceeded the function of education alone. Gontor also carries out the role of dawah and community empowerment as mandated in Law Number 18 of 2019 concerning Pesantren.

"The big name means that Gontor carries a great trust as a pesantren of the people. What I see, the programs at Gontor answer the needs that must be present in the community," he said.

Romo Syafi'i also highlighted the achievements of Gontor alumni who are now spread in various fields, ranging from education, government, economy, social to religion. According to him, this shows the strategic role of pesantren in shaping Indonesian human resources.

After going through various phases of the nation's history, from the pre-independence period to the modern era, Gontor is now facing a new challenge that is much more complex.

Therefore, entering the second century, Gontor is asked not only to maintain the achievements that have been built over the past century, but also to be able to respond to the ever-changing global dynamics.

"In the future, we hope that Gontor can build a civilization for Indonesia. And that civilization will be global, God willing," said Romo Syafi'i.

He emphasized that the increasingly close relations between countries require Islamic educational institutions to have an international perspective. According to him, steps in this direction have begun to be seen in Gontor.

"Gontor is no longer only for Indonesia, but it must be global. I see that this step has begun to be pioneered. Therefore, I believe that Gontor is ready to make a wider contribution, not only for Indonesia but also for the international community," he said.