Prof. Ahmad Tholabi Karlie Reflects on the Spirit of Santri at UIN Jakarta Podcast

Podcast Room, UIN Online News — In commemoration of National Santri Day 2025, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta’s podcast program #ApaKataAhli featured a special reflection with Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. H. Ahmad Tholabi Kharlie, M.A., M.H. 

Prof. Tholabi emphasized that today, celebrated annually on October 22, is not merely a ceremonial occasion but a reminder to uphold the noble values of pesantren that have shaped the nation’s moral and spiritual foundation.

“Santri Day reminds us that the values of Islamic Boarding Schools (pesantren) must continue to live in every sphere of education, society, and the nation itself,” he stated.

As a native of Banten, Prof. Tholabi shared that growing up in a community deeply rooted in santri traditions had profoundly shaped his outlook.

“Historically, Banten is known as the land of a thousand Islamic scholars with millions of their apprentices. One of them is KH. Syam’un who founded Pesantren Al-Jariyah, the oldest pesanren in this region. Those who learn under the traditional Islamic teaching follow the way of santri,” he recalled.

According to him, pesantren are centers of moral and character formation, where students learn to balance faith, knowledge, and service.

“A pesantren is a place of self-discipline. Starting from studying thousands of pages, santris are taught to internalize sincerity, humility, and perseverance, As a result, pesantren generates ulema who are prominent in intellectual and spiritual domains,” he added.

Prof. Tholabi also shared his experience at Pesantren Darussalam in Ciamis, West Java, where the spirit of intellectual discipline and national devotion were equally nurtured.

"The wisdom I carry from my teachers is that santri must be an exemplary figure for the society. You see that the 1945 Jihad Resolution is a clear proof that the spirit of santri has long been the backbone of national resilience," he shared.

In the digital age, he urged that pesantren must not be seen as outdated.

“Pesantrens are not relics of the past; their graduates are adaptive. Be it scientists, bureaucrats, and technocrats, their knowledge is based humility and respect which is cultivated by their teachers. That’s what shapes true character of santri,” he said, adding,

Prof. Tholabi also encouraged santri to embrace technology and use it for Islamic education and sciences.

“Due to technological advancement, pesantrens are no longer isolated. Santris must use digital spaces as platforms for learning and da'wa, not the other way around. Digital world can be a dangerous place; however, the wisdom you learned will maintain your integrity,” he reminded.

Through the #ApaKataAhli segment, UIN Jakarta seeks to foster reflection and intellectual dialogue that illuminate the relevance of faith-based education in modern society. Prof. Ahmad Tholabi’s insights reaffirm that pesantren are not merely centers of religious learning, but vital guardians of Indonesia’s moral and cultural legacy—a light that must continue to shine in the digital age.

(Kareena Auliya J./Fauziah M./Zaenal M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham)