The development of technology today has a huge impact on people’s lives. It starts from the ease of accessing information and doing business to preaching. A large number of social media users such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, and others provide an excellent opportunity for santri and Pesantrens to spread Islamic da’wah that is moderate and relevant to the times.
The question is, to what extent have students and pesantren taken part in preaching on social media?
In Indonesia, we know that pesantren and their santri or alumni are moderate Islamic forces based on Ahlussunnah wal Jama’ah. So it can be said, santri are a generation of Muslims who are polite and typical of Indonesia. So they can blend in with the society and culture that has lived for hundreds of years.
In addition, santri and pesantren have an essential role in the history of Indonesia’s development, starting from the struggle for independence to the reform era. Many contributions from the alumni of Islamic boarding schools to the state range from religion to state administration.
I often hear how great the pesantren and the santri in the past were in fighting for Islam and implementing Islamic values in society. It also made me interested in exploring the world of pesantren.
However, times have changed. We must not continue to be trapped in the romance of the past. We must be able to practice the teachings and spirit of the previous scholars for the benefit of an increasingly chaotic era.
How to?
One of the most important things to do right now is to play a role in the digital world. As a person who cannot be separated from social media, I often find Islamic da’wah accounts that seem less relevant in a pluralistic Indonesian society.