Examining the Socio-Economic Role of Islamic Boarding Schools (Pesantren) in Indonesia M. Falikul Isbah A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Humanities and Social Sciences UNSW Canberra June 2016 THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: lsbah First name: M. Falikul Other name/s: Abbreviation for degree as given In the University calendar: PhD School: School of Humanities and Social Science Faculty: University College Title: Examining the Socio-Economic Role of lslM'lic Boarding School (Pasantren) In Indonesia Abstract 350 words maximum: This thesis examines the role of Indonesian Islamjc boarding schools' <.pesanlrm) engagement in the socio-economic issues of their communities. In undertaking such initiatives, pe.rantrtn are moving beyond their core business of Islamic education and propagation. This thesis shows that these pesantrm have made significant contributions to the prosperity and welfare of their neighbouring communities. By discussing case studies of four pesontren, this thesis will analyse the ways pesantrtn have engaged with their communities. It will also examine local contexts and factors that have shaped the form of their engagement, further impact on their standing as educational and da'wah institutions, and their relationships with government and non-government organisations which offer support and partnership. This thesis also highlights why there are pesantrtn which have undertaken significant engagement activities with their neighbouring communities, while others have not. This study is placed within the growing scholarly interest in analysing Islamic organisations as non-state actors in the provision of welfare services and as development agencies at grass roots level in contemporary Indonesia. Despite differing forms of pesanlrtn's community engagement, I argue that propagating Islam through good deeds in the public interest is the driving force for their engagement. Furthermore, I argue that the more significant their engagement, the greater the religious authority they hold within their communities. As a result, their capacity as Islamising agents in the community is enhanced. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or Its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in futtl"e works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). ~ ............ .\. .~ .. k .... ~ ........ ...... ..... .~ .~'. ..±f:~ .~l· ~ -~ -········ F... 1.~.. .~. ?.~.~ Signature Wrtnefi Date The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. 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I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed Date ... .?. .. -~ -~ - ...~ .<?.~~ .............................................. AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT 'I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.' Signed Date .... ?.... ~. ~.- ~9.\ ~............................................ .. ORIGINALITY STATEMENT 'I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.' Signed ..... ~. .......................................... ~ ry._,~ 20 {6 Date ...... .......Q . ~ ........... ..................................... ABSTRACT This thesis examines the role of Indonesian Islamic boarding schools’ (pesantren) engagement in the socio-economic issues of their communities. In undertaking such initiatives, pesantren are moving beyond their core business of Islamic education and propagation. This thesis shows that these pesantren have made significant contributions to the prosperity and welfare of their neighbouring communities. By discussing case studies of four pesantren, this thesis will analyse the ways pesantren have engaged with their communities. It will also examine local contexts and factors that have shaped the form of their engagement, further impact on their standing as educational and da’wah institutions, and their relationships with government and non-government organisations which offer support and partnership. This thesis also highlights why there are pesantren which have undertaken significant engagement activities with their neighbouring communities, while others have not. This study is placed within the growing scholarly interest in analysing Islamic organisations as non-state actors in the provision of welfare services and as development agencies at grass roots level in contemporary Indonesia. Despite differing forms of pesantren’s community engagement, I argue that propagating Islam through good deeds in the public interest is the driving force for their engagement. Furthermore, I argue that the more significant their engagement, the greater the religious authority they hold within their communities. As a result, their capacity as Islamising agents in the community is enhanced. v Acknowledgements I am grateful to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) for providing me with a Tuition Fee Scholarship (TFS) that enabled me to undertake this PhD research project. Many people have helped me to accomplish this thesis and to pass my PhD journey. At the UNSW Canberra, I would like thank my supervisor Dr. Minako Sakai for her patient and thorough supervision. She has coached me not only in writing this thesis but also in acquiring much broader academic skills. She has given me an opportunity to teach Indonesian and give some lectures, as well as trained me to publish journal articles and to deliver good presentations in academic forums. Her guidance throughout this process has provided me with the best possible academic experience. I am also grateful to Dr. Nicolaas Warouw as my co- supervisor who has always been happy to discuss this thesis and our teaching jobs, as well as share his academic experience. I also thank Professor Davil Lovell who has supported my study through his capacity as co-supervisor and Head of School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) in which I am affiliated. At this small yet pleasant campus, I was lucky to have supportive friends and colleagues: Najib Kailani, Muhammad Riza Nurdin, Ho Yin Chan, Nyi Nyi Kyaw, Emy Beibei Chen, Mike Chia-Yu Huang, Umut Ozguc, Emily Robertson, and Rita Parker. I thank them all and wish them the best of luck for their future career. Here I acknowledge the excellent editorial suggestions and proofreading by Mr. Paul Tickell. My sincere gratitude goes to him. I thank Dr. Andy Fuller for also proofreading this thesis. During the writing process, I was fortune to have opportunities to share my research findings and analysis in several academic forums and informal conversations. I have learned from the comments, questions, and suggestions from scholars and fellow PhD students at the neighboring campus Australian National University (ANU). These include A/Professor Greg Fealy, Professor vi James J. Fox, Professor Virginia Hooker, Dr. George Quinn, Professor Kathryn Robinson, Syamsul Rijal, Norshahril Saat, Ahmad Muhajir,