Database on Salafism in Indonesia

This research was conducted in 25 cities/districts in 13 provinces. Data sampling was done for 2 months from August 15 to October 15 of 2017. This research gather data from 111 Salafi educational institutions, which consist of 95 pesantrens, 11 elementary schools, 3 higher-level schools, and 2 vocational schools. The study found that a big part of Salafi pesantrens (59%) are trying to integrate their own curriculum with the national curriculum while the rest (41%) refuse to do so. The former are affiliated to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. They implement the Saudi Arabia curriculum for religion classes and the national curriculum for general classes. These pesantrens are trying to achieve accreditation (mu’adalah) from Saudi Arabia while at the same time they take national exams or equation tests for elementary, junior high and senior high standards. Salafi pesantrens are not monolithic. Some are oriented to Yemen and repulse the national curriculum while the others are oriented to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which tend to be more accommodative to parental requests for implementing the national curriculum. Salafism teachings, especially Tauhid and al-Wala’wa al-Barra’, tend to make Salafi followers purist and militant, which might instigate conflicts and tensions in the society. Local donations and those from the Middle East, both institutional and individual, are instrumental in the growth of Salafi pesantrens. Along with the declining financial support from abroad, Salafi pesantrens are trying to be independent financially.

Geographical Scope: National

Region: UNDP Asia and the Pacific

Country: Indonesia

Theme of Research: Education Faith-based

Year Published: 2018

Responsible Entity: UNDP Indonesia