MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman
Vol 50, No 1 (2026)

FROM CHARISMA TO ACADEMIC RATIONALITY: An Ethnographic Study of “Academic Kiai” Leadership in Indonesian Pesantren

Masuwd, Mowafg (University of Zawia)
Irama, Yoga (Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Wasil)
Rahman, Zayad Abd. (Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Wasil)
Yusuf, Moh. Asror (Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Wasil)
Baroud, Najah (University of Zawia Libya)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Mar 2026

Abstract

This study explores Kiai Sanuri’s leadership as an “academic kiai” at Pesantren Sholahuddin Surabaya, focusing on how his approach reshapes the cultural foundations of a traditional Islamic boarding school. Employing an ethnographic qualitative design, the research draws on in-depth interviews, participant observation, and institutional documents. The findings show that Kiai Sanuri has cultivated an integrative leadership model that brings together charismatic religious authority, participatory governance, and academically grounded management. Leadership practices are expressed through structured decision-making, strategic planning informed by evidence, and the deliberate integration of scientific literacy into everyday pesantren life. These efforts have strengthened organisational professionalism, expanded educational networks, enhanced academic standards, and repositioned santri as active contributors to knowledge. The study suggests that the “academic kiai” model offers a credible and contextually grounded framework for pesantren leadership in navigating contemporary educational and social change. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

MIQOT

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities

Description

MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman is a peer reviewed academic journal, established in 1976 as part of the State Islamic University of North Sumatra Medan (see: video), dedicated to the publication of scholarly articles in various branches of Islamic Studies, by which exchanges of ideas as research ...