P3M Launches Santri Jihad Book Caring For Earth: 10 Inspirational Stories Of Waste Management In Islamic Boarding Schools

The launch of the book entitled Jihad Santri Caring for Earth: 10 Inspirational Stories of Waste Management in Islamic Boarding Schools. (IST)

JAKARTA - In commemoration of Santri Day 2025, the Boarding School and Community Development Association (P3M) launched a book entitled Jihad Santri Caring for Earth: 10 Inspirational Stories of Waste Management in Islamic Boarding Schools. The launch of this book is a sign that the santri movement is now not only a role in the religious field, but also in preserving the environment through sustainable waste management.

This book records ten true stories from Islamic boarding schools in various regions that have managed to manage waste creatively and independently. More than just a collection of inspiring stories, this book is an important narrative about the revival of grassroots movements that emerged from the pesantren community in the midst of the national waste crisis.

According to the Director of P3M KH Sarmidi Husna, the concept of jihad' in this context is no longer interpreted as an armed conflict, but rather a serious struggle to care for the earth. Landsan of this program is a rule of fiqh ad-dhararu Yuzaalu, which means that every condition must be eliminated. Unmanaged waste is a form of madharat because it causes disease, pollution, and social damage. So waste management is part of religious obligations," explained Kiai Sarmidi in his remarks.

He added that the meaning of jihad must be presented constructively, pro-socially, and with an ecological perspective. This is not just a task of humanity, but also an ukhrawi mandate. Santri has moral authority to be the pioneer of change in protecting the environment," he said.

The Santri Movement Caring For Earth And Ecoteology

Kiai Sarmidi explained that students have three main principles of life. First, the commitment to carry out fardhu airing, such as the struggle of students in fighting the invaders in the past. Second, the commitment to leave great sins. Third, maintain good relations with Allah and fellow human beings (hablun minallah wa hablun minannas).

"Now is the time for students to fight against not against the invaders, but to fight against the earth. This is a new challenge for Muslims in the modern era," he said.

Furthermore, P3M wants to ground the concept of ecology so that the community can really benefit from it. "Ecotheology is not just a seminar discourse, but must be manifested in concrete actions that bring ecological justice," he added.

Collaboration With CCEP Indonesia

The book Jihad Santri Caring for Earth is part of the EARTH GELAR program (Gerangan Santri Caring for Earth) the result of collaboration between P3M and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Indonesia. This program was originally implemented in 10 pilot pesantren on the island of Java with three strategic stages. Its success can be seen from the ability of pesantren to integrate the technology value with technological innovation that has a real economic impact on the surrounding community.

Launch Attended By National And Ulama Figures

The book launch event which was held at the Acacia Hotel, Jakarta, on 28'30 October 2025 was attended by various important figures, including KH Yusuf Chudlori (Pengusuh Pesantren API Tegalrejo), Prof. Amin Suyitno (Director General of Islamic Education of the Ministry of Religion), Lucia Karina (Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability CCEP Indonesia), and KH Miftah Faqih (Chairman of PBNU). Also present were pesantren caregivers, kiai, and hundreds of students from various regions.

Through these books and programs, P3M hopes that the spirit of jihad of students can continue to develop into a national movement to protect the earth and strengthen the role of pesantren as the pioneer of social and ecological change in Indonesia.