FROM CHARISMA TO ACADEMIC RATIONALITY: An Ethnographic Study of “Academic Kiai” Leadership in Indonesian Pesantren
Abstract
This study explores Kiai Sanuri’s leadership as an “academic kiai” at Pesantren Sholahuddin Surabaya, focusing on how his approach reshapes the cultural foundations of a traditional Islamic boarding school. Employing an ethnographic qualitative design, the research draws on in-depth interviews, participant observation, and institutional documents. The findings show that Kiai Sanuri has cultivated an integrative leadership model that brings together charismatic religious authority, participatory governance, and academically grounded management. Leadership practices are expressed through structured decision-making, strategic planning informed by evidence, and the deliberate integration of scientific literacy into everyday pesantren life. These efforts have strengthened organisational professionalism, expanded educational networks, enhanced academic standards, and repositioned santri as active contributors to knowledge. The study suggests that the “academic kiai” model offers a credible and contextually grounded framework for pesantren leadership in navigating contemporary educational and social change.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Agazu, Biniam Getnet, Chalchissa Amentie Kero, and Kenenisa Lemi Debela. “Transformational Leadership and Firm Performance: A Systematic Literature Review.” Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 14, no. 1 (May 2025): 29.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-025-00476-x
Agus, Haryo. “Daftar Alamat Pondok Pesantren Di Surabaya,” n.d.
Ahmadi, and Cindy Marcellina Putri. Kepemimpinan Pendidikan Islam: Menjaga Tradisi Menuju Kualitas Global. Jakarta: K-Media, 2023.
Ainun Nadjib (Senior Santri of Pesantren Sholahuddin). “Interview, Surabaya,” 2025.
Al-Humaidy, Mohammad Ali, Afifullah Afifullah, Harisah Harisah, Subhan Abdullah Acim, and Eko Ariwidodo. “Pesantren and Politics: Fostering Civil Society-Oriented Political Consciousness in a Muslim Society.” Ulumuna: Journal of Islamic Studies 29, no. 1 (2025): 339–64. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v29i1.976
Ali Hamdan (Lecturer at the Faculty of Sharia and Law UNUGIRI Bojonegoro). “Interview, Bojonegoro,” 2025.
Amarullah, Muhamad Matin Shopwan, Mulyani, and Ari Prayoga. “Kepemimpinan Karismatik Kiai dalam Membangun Budaya Organisasi di Pesantren Salafiyah.” Dirasah : Jurnal Studi Ilmu dan Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 3, no. 2 (May 2020): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.29062/dirasah.v3i2.122
Ameliya, Tri Meilani. “Kemenag Sebut Pesantren Bertambah 11 Ribu Sejak UU Pesantren Disahkan.” Antara News, June 2024.
Andreansyah, Rizal, and M Imamul Muttaqien. “Konsep Dasar Kepemimpinan : Dari Definisi Hingga Tipologi Pemimpin Efektif.” Akhlak/ : Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam Dan Filsafat 2, no. 1 (May 2025): 159–66. https://doi.org/10.61132/akhlak.v2i1.313
Astarudin, Tatang. “Wakaf Untuk Kemandirian Pesantren,” June 2025.
Bass, Bernard M, and Ronald E Riggio. Transformational Leadership. 3rd ed. New York: Routledge, 2019.
DAKWAH TV UINSA Surabaya. “Pengukuhan Guru Besar UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya Ke 106 - 112,” n.d.
“Data Profile Dosen,” May 2025.
Dewi, Indah Kusuma, and Ali Mashar. Nilai-Nilai Profetik dalam Kepemimpinan Modern pada Manajemen Kinerja. Lampung: Gre Publishing, 2019.
Dhofier, Zamakhsyari. Tradisi Pesantren: Memadu Modernitas Untuk Kemajuan Bangsa. Yogyakarta: Nawesea Press, 2009.
Fariha, Alberda Salma, and Imamul Muttaqin. “Kepemimpinan Pendidikan Meliputi Pengertian, Karakteristik, Model, Strategi, Serta Keberhasilannya.” Jupendis: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Ilmu Sosial 3, no. 1 (May 2025): 117–33. https://doi.org/10.54066/jupendis.v3i1.2753
Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books, 1973.
Hajjaj, Wafi Ali. “Integrasi Kurikulum Pesantren ke dalam Lembaga Pendidikan Formal.” IAIN Jember, 2020.
Hammersley, Martyn, and Paul Atkinson. Ethnography: Principles in Practice. 3rd ed. London: Routledge, 2007.
Hidayati, Zuhriyyah, Achmad Maulidi, Khoirun Niam, and Husniyatus Salamah Zainiyati. “Curriculum as a Mirror of Ideological Affiliation: Rethinking Pesantren Typologies in the Landscape of Indonesian Islamic Organizations.” Journal of Contemporary Islam and Muslim Societies 9, no. 1 (2025): 201–33. https://doi.org/10.30821/jcims.v9i1.24574
Islami, Xhavit, and Enis Mulolli. “A Conceptual Framework of Transformational Leadership as an Influential Tool in the Team Performance.” European Journal of Management Issues 28, no. 1–2 (May 2020): 13–24. https://doi.org/10.15421/192002
Khairudin, Ahmad. Kepemimpinan Pendidikan Islam. Medan: UMSU Press, 2022.
Khofi, Mohammad Bilutfikal, and Mufasirul Furqon. “Strategi Kepemimpinan Kiai Dalam Mengembangkan Pondok Pesantren.” INCARE, International Journal of Educational Resources 5, no. 3 (May 2024): 265–88. https://doi.org/10.59689/incare.v5i3.1019
M Sulton (Chairman of the Board of Pesantren Sholahuddin). “Interview, Surabaya,” 2025.
Ma‘arif, Muhammad Anas, Mauhibur Rokhman, M. Alfin Fatikh, Ari Kartiko, Ahmadi Ahmadi, and Moch. Sya’roni Hasan. “Kiai’s Leadership Strategies in Strengthening Religious Moderation in Islamic Boarding Schools.” Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun 13, no. 1 (2025): 23–48. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i1.1168
Mahdiya, Alifahtul, Ulviana Nurwachidah, and Muhammad Hanist. “Konsep Kepemimpinan Pendidikan Islam: Definisi, Fungsi, Dan Faktor Yang Mempengaruhinya.” Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia 2, no. 07 (May 2021): 1146–56. https://doi.org/10.59141/japendi.v2i07.222
Muh. Buni Andaru Bahi (Ustaz Pesantren Sholahuddin). “Interview, Surabaya,” 2025.
Nasution, Rahmad. “RI Govt Committed to Bolstering Safety at Pesantrens, Minister Says,” n.d.
Nugraha, Mulyawan Safwandy, Mujib Abdullah Romdon, Elih Yuliah, and Arfiani Yulianti Fiyul. Kepemimpinan Pendidikan. Bandung: Mega Press Nusantara, 2025.
Prasetyo, Muhammad Anggung Manumanoso. “Pesantren Efektif: Studi Gaya Kepemimpinan Partisipatif.” Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 3, no. 1 (May 2022): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v3i1.159
Qurtubi, Moh, and Saman Hudi. “Peran Kiai dalam Mengembangkan Kurikulum Lokal di Pesantren Nurul Islam 1 Jember.” Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kajian Aswaja 6, no. 1 (June 2020). https://doi.org/10.56013/jpka.v6i1.690
Rahmawati, Ummul Khair, Miftah Rahman, Aswan Aswan, Fatmawati Ardilah, Nur Anisa, and Mihrani Mihrani. “Perkembangan Pondok Pesantren: Warisan dan Transformasi Pendidikan Islam.” SENTRI: Jurnal Riset Ilmiah 3, no. 1 (June 2024): 380–86. https://doi.org/10.55681/sentri.v3i1.2188
Rifa’i, M Khoirul. Kepemimpinan Pendidikan Islam: Konsep Dasar Dan Teori Memimpin Lembaga Pendidikan Islam. Yogyakarta: Garudhawaca, 2023.
Sa’idah, Syaella, Adinda Maula Auladina, and Hasyim Asy’ari. “Model Kepemimpinan Transformasional pada Visi Misi Pemimpin Perempuan di Pondok Pesantren Al-Isti’aanah.” Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai 9, no. 1 (May 2025): 1481–90.
Saerozi, Imam, and Sukarji. “The Influence of Kiai Leadership and Pesantren Culture on Quality and Competitiveness as Mediating Variables.” Al-Tanzim: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 8, no. 4 (May 2024): 1150–63. https://doi.org/10.33650/al-tanzim.v8i4.9278
Sanuri (Caretaker of Pesantren Sholahuddin). “Interview, Surabaya,” 2025.
Sanuri. Orasi Ilmiah: Transformasi Epistemologis ’Urf dalam Fatwa DSN-MUI Tentang E-Commerce (Analisis Berbasis Maqasid Al-Shari’ah). Surabaya: The UINSA Press, 2025.
Sasiwongsaroj, Kwanchit, Mitsuko Ono, Sutpratana Duangkaew, and Yumi Kimura. “Emic and Etic Perspectives in Transnational Migration Research: Methodological Reflections of a Cross-National Research Team.” Qualitative Research Journal 24, no. 2 (December 2024): 194–204. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-12-2023-0185
Suharti, Rohmatul Fajri, and Yayat Suharyat. “Analisis Fungsi Kepemimpinan dalam Era Organisasi Modern.” NUSRA : Jurnal Penelitian dan Ilmu Pendidikan 5, no. 1 (May 2024): 22–36. https://doi.org/10.55681/nusra.v5i1.1838
Toufighi, Seyed Pendar, Iman Ghasemian Sahebi, Kannan Govindan, Min Zar Ni Lin, Jan Vang, and Annalisa Brambini. “Participative Leadership, Cultural Factors, and Speaking-up Behaviour: An Examination of Intra-Organisational Knowledge Sharing.” Journal of Innovation & Knowledge 9, no. 3 (May 2024): 1–13.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100548
Wahrudin, Bambang, and Binti Maunah. “Kepemimpinan Transformasional Di Pondok Pesantren.” Southeast Asian Journal of Islamic Education Management 4, no. 2 (May 2023): 131–48. https://doi.org/10.21154/sajiem.v4i2.211
Yaturrochmah, Naili, Siti Aimah, and Muhammad Imam Khaudli. “Kyai’s Transformative Leadership In Pesantren-Based on Campus.” EDUTEC : Journal of Education And Technology 7, no. 4 (May 2024): 521. https://doi.org/10.29062/edu.v7i4.835
Yumitro, Gonda, and Dyah Estu Kurniawati. “Government and Pesantren Coping with Terrorism Issue in Malang: A Collaboration Model.” Journal of Contemporary Islam and Muslim Societies 4, no. 2 (2020): 235–58. https://doi.org/10.30821/jcims.v4i2.8009
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v50i1.1493
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman (P-ISSN: 0852-0720; E-ISSN: 2502-3616) by http://jurnalmiqotojs.uinsu.ac.id/index.php/jurnalmiqot/index is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright ©2023 Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara Medan. Powered by Public Knowledge Project OJS.