Synergy of kiai leadership with the tradition of Islamic boarding school in Toli Toli regency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JAES.6.4.87-94Keywords:
Leadership, Kiai, Boarding school, Synergetic, CooperationAbstract
This research is motivated by the importance of integrating the traditional authority of the kiai with modern management principles to ensure the sustainability and progress of Islamic boarding schools in the contemporary era. DDI Soni Islamic Boarding School, located in Dampal Selatan District, Tolitoli Regency, faces real challenges in aligning charismatic leadership values with professional organizational governance amidst globalization. This study aims to analyze and describe the model and form of synergy between the kiai's leadership and the boarding school's management traditions. The research method used in this dissertation is qualitative with a case study approach. Data collection was carried out comprehensively through participant observation within the pesantren environment, in-depth interviews with the leader (kiai), foundation administrators, teachers (ustadz), and reinforced by relevant documentation studies. Data analysis was performed systematically through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The validity of the data was ensured using source and technique triangulation to obtain valid and reliable data. The results of the study indicate that the synergy between the kiai's leadership and the pesantren tradition at DDI Soni manifests in several main dimensions. First, the integration of the tarbiyah education system and traditional dawah through a blend of the formal madrasah curriculum with the sorogan and bandongan methods. Second, charismatic leadership based on akhlakul karimah, which functions as a medium for student character transformation rather than authoritarianism. Third, the preservation of the moderate (wasathiyah) Ahlussunnah wal Jama'ah (Aswaja) traditional practices as a social glue with the community. Fourth, strong social contributions through sending senior students as preachers and organizing the Qur'an Camp program with local residents. The implications of this study confirm that effective synergy heavily depends on the kiai's ability to position themselves as an accountable strategic leader who is open to community aspirations. Theoretically, this research reinforces a multidimensional leadership model that combines charismatic authority with modern management principles. Practically, the kiai is expected to be more democratic in delegating technical authority to management staff and adaptive to technology without losing the core values of the pesantren, such as independence and simplicity, thereby creating flexible, transparent, and high- quality institutional governance.
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