The younger generation of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) is now required not only to master religious knowledge but also to be responsive to global environmental issues. Professor of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Dr. H. Ahmad Tholabi Kharlie, emphasized the importance of producing green leaders from among the santri who are capable of synergizing noble character, digital technology, and concrete actions to save the earth.
This idea was presented by Tholabi while serving as a speaker at the 2026 Santri Basic Leadership Training (LDK), initiated by the Directorate of Pesantren under the Directorate General of Islamic Education of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. The event, which brought together selected santri from various parts of the country, took place in the Talaga Cikeas area, Bogor, West Java.
According to Tholabi, today's global challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, and artificial intelligence disruption cannot be addressed merely with ceremonial concern. Environmentally friendly leadership born from moral and religious awareness is needed, where protecting the earth is viewed as part of trust (amanah) and worship to God.
Furthermore, he assessed that pesantren have a very solid ecosystem to forge the character of future leaders. The disciplined lifestyle, simplicity, empathy, and collaborative habits practiced daily by the santri are competence foundations that are highly relevant to answering 21st-century leadership needs.
The Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of UIN Jakarta also reminded of the importance of aligning the scientific traditions of pesantren with modern technological developments. Future santri are expected to master religious knowledge as an ethical compass while also being capable of utilizing information technology and data to accelerate beneficial innovations.
As a concrete step, Tholabi invited LDK participants to pioneer environmentally friendly movements starting from their immediate surroundings. Through concrete actions such as reducing plastic waste, energy efficiency, and independent waste management in pesantren, the santri are expected to become agents of change who bring a positive impact to the wider community.
