Kiai Leadership Strategies for Sustaining the Cultural Resilience of a Salaf Pesantren at Assirojiyyah, Sampang, Madura

Khairunnafi Khairunnafi; Ali Nurhadi; Saiful Hadi

doi:10.32806/jf.v15i03.2286

Authors

Khairunnafi Khairunnafi Universitas Islam Negeri Madura, Indonesia
Ali Nurhadi Universitas Islam Negeri Madura, Indonesia
Saiful Hadi Universitas Islam Negeri Madura, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32806/jf.v15i03.2286

Keywords:

Kiai leadership, cultural resilience; , Salaf pesantren; , humanistic pedagogy;, Agus cadre system

Abstract

This study examines Kiai leadership strategies to sustain the cultural resilience of Pesantren Assirojiyyah amid social change and modernization. Using a qualitative approach and a critical case study design, the study focuses on leadership practices, cultural reproduction, internal regeneration, institutional autonomy, and vulnerabilities associated with institutional isolation. Participants were purposively selected and included pesantren caregivers, administrators, Agus teachers, santri, and alumni. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis, and analyzed interactively using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. Data trustworthiness was strengthened through source triangulation, methodological triangulation, member checking, and persistent observation. The findings show that the cultural resilience of Assirojiyyah is built through three mutually reinforcing strategies: humanistic pedagogy, an endogenous cadre system based on khidmah, and financial self-reliance. Humanistic pedagogy through ar-rifq, mahabbah, dialogue, deliberation, and takrir transmits adab, character, and the scholarly traditions of the Turāṯ. The Agus system serves as an internal cadre-regeneration mechanism that sustains the continuity of educators, the scholarly sanad, and Salaf identity. Financial self-reliance, supported by pesantren business units and alumni contributions, further strengthens institutional autonomy. Institutional isolation constitutes a source of vulnerability while also encouraging internal capacity building. From Giddens' Structuration perspective, such resilience is produced through the reproduction of structures through agents' practices, rules, and resources. Thus, Assirojiyyah sustains its Salaf identity not by rejecting change but by selectively adapting to change in accordance with its internal capacities

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