Pesantren

The pesantren aims to deepen knowledge of the Quran, particularly through the study of Arabic, traditions of exegesis, the Sayings of the Prophet, law and logic.

Young men and women are separated from their families, which contributes to a sense of individual commitment to the faith and close bonding to a teacher.

Students in pesantren have almost 20 hours of activities, beginning with early morning prayer at around 4 am to midnight with a study group in the dormitory.

Kyai also play important roles in the community as a religious leader, and in recent years as a political figure.

While it is still possible for the children of the poor to work in the Kyai's economic ventures (more than just rice fields these days), most parents will pay both room and board and small tuition.

He was well-educated at pesantren in his youth and was himself the grandson of the Kyai that founded the Indonesian religious political organization, Nahdlatul Ulama.

Gus Dur headed the organization from 1984 until 1999, and after his term as president, returned to teaching in his pesantren in Ciganjur, Jagakarsa.