THE KIAI AS A COMMUNITY RELATIONS AGENT IN SUSTAINING THE EXISTENCE OF ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY AT PONDOK PESANTREN BURHANUL ABRAR BESUKI, SITUBONDO
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22373/al-ijtimaiyyah.v12i2.35785Keywords:
Islamic Community Development, Kiai Leadership, Community Relations, Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren), Da'wahAbstract
This study examines the role of the kiai (Islamic boarding school leader) as an agent of community relations (hubungan masyarakat) in sustaining the institutional existence of Pondok Pesantren Burhanul Abrar, Besuki, Situbondo, East Java, Indonesia. Situated within the framework of Islamic community development and institutional communication, the study analyzes the strategies, patterns, and social dynamics through which the kiai builds and maintains relationships with surrounding communities, alumni networks, government actors, and the broader public. A qualitative research design with a case study approach was employed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with pesantren administrators, student guardians (wali santri), alumni, and community figures selected through purposive sampling, complemented by participatory observation of da'wah activities, social services, and community interactions, as well as institutional documentation. Data analysis followed the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña comprising data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing, with validity ensured through source, method, and time triangulation. The findings reveal that the kiai occupies a strategically central position in the pesantren's community relations system, functioning simultaneously as a charismatic leader, moral communicator, social capital builder, and cultural da'wah actor. The kiai's community relations strategies encompass personal communication, cultural engagement through local Islamic traditions, moral exemplarity, external da'wah activities across multiple regions, and alumni network strengthening through the IKSABA organization. These strategies have yielded measurable outcomes, including a growth in student enrollment from 220 santri in 2023 to 255 in 2024 and 290 in 2025, reflecting increasing public trust and the deepening social legitimacy of the institution. The study concludes that the kiai's role as a cultural public relations agent is the most dominant factor in sustaining the pesantren's existence, and contributes a replicable model of community-based Islamic institutional communication applicable to other pesantren in contemporary Indonesia.
Downloads
References
Abdullah, Muhammad, and Kusaeri Kusaeri. "Cultural Transformation of Kiai Leadership in Madura: From Religious Educators to Political Leaders." AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan 16, no. 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i2.5333
Amaly, Ahmad Miftahul, Ahmad Syamsu Rizal, and Udin Supriadi. "The Existence Kiai of the Islamic Boarding School in the Community." ATTARBIYAH: Journal of Islamic Culture and Education 5, no. 1 (2020): 14–30. https://doi.org/10.18326/attarbiyah.v5i1.14-30
Amrullah, Ahmad Munjin Khoirul, and Zainul Fanani. "Model Komunikasi di Lembaga Pendidikan Islam." Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Indonesia 3, no. 2 (2019): 334–346. https://doi.org/10.35316/jpii.v3i2.138
Annabil, Faris Salman, and Muhammad Hanif. "Kyai's Leadership in Fostering Alumni Harmony and Solidarity through the Halaqah Approach in Islamic Boarding Schools." Journal of Islamic Education Research 6, no. 3 (2025): 315–330. https://doi.org/10.35719/jier.v6i3.504
Ardiansyah, Fajar, Fifi Agustin, and Rifqi Muhtadi. "Digitalisasi Filantropi Islam Pada Pesantren Di Pulau Madura." IQTISADIE: Journal of Islamic Banking and Shariah Economy 1, no. 2 (2021): 225–255. https://doi.org/10.36781/iqtisadie.v1i2.172
Burga, Muhammad Aqil, and Muljono Damopolii. "Reinforcing Religious Moderation Through Local Culture-Based Pesantren." Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 8, no. 2 (2022): 145–162. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v8i2.19879
Burhanudin, Muhammad, and Muhammad Syamsul Falah. "Kepemimpinan Kiai dalam Peningkatan Kualitas Pendidikan di Pondok Pesantren Hudaya Diwek Jombang." Southeast Asian Journal of Islamic Education Management 6, no. 1 (2025): 75–92. https://doi.org/10.21154/sajiem.v6i1.510
Fahim, Muhammad, and Abdurrahman Abdurrahman. "Strategi Humas untuk Membangun Citra Pondok Pesantren." Edukasiana: Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan 4, no. 2 (2025): 265–271. https://doi.org/10.56916/ejip.v4i2.1110
Falikul Isbah, Muhammad. "Pesantren in the Changing Indonesian Context: History and Current Developments." Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies 8, no. 1 (2020): 65–106. https://doi.org/10.21043/QIJIS.V8I1.5629
Fatih, Muhammad Khoirul. "Peran Pesantren dalam Penguatan Moderasi Beragama di Indonesia." Alamtara: Jurnal Komunikasi dan Penyiaran Islam 8, no. 2 (2024): 165–198.
Ghazali, Zaenal Imam. "Urgensi Manajemen Humas dalam Membangun Citra Pondok Pesantren di Masyarakat." Al-Abshar: Journal of Islamic Education Management 3, no. 1 (2024): 17–33. https://doi.org/10.58223/al-abshar.v3i1.227
Gozali, Ahmad, and Rizky Novriandi. "Shalawat Dulang Sebagai Media Dakwah Kultural Di Nagari Saruaso Kab. Tanah Datar." Al-Jamahiria: Jurnal Komunikasi dan Dakwah Islam 2, no. 2 (2024): 162–173. https://doi.org/10.30983/al-jamahiria.v2i2.8865
Habeeb Rahuman, Sithy Aisha, and Norzaidi Mahadi. "Strategic Alumni Engagement in Business Schools: A Role and Social Capital Perspective." International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 15, no. 8 (2025). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v15-i8/26163
Hadi Ismanto. "Komunikasi Politik Kyai dalam Pengembangan Pesantren: Studi Analisis Terhadap Pondok Pesantren Sunan Drajat Lamongan." JOSH: Journal of Sharia 2, no. 2 (2023): 101–109. https://doi.org/10.55352/josh.v2i2.542
Hamidah, Khusnul, and Ahmad Chasannudin. "Mechanization of Islamic Moderation Da'wah in the Nahdlatul Ulama Pesantren Tradition." Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah 41, no. 1 (2021): 15–29. https://doi.org/10.21580/jid.v41.1.7134
Happyana, Lailatul, Fatimah Zahro Istiqomah, Miftakhul Khasanah, and Mohd Hussin. "Integration of Tradition and Technology: Digitalization Strategies in Islamic Education at Pesantren in Banyuwangi, Indonesia." Journal of Islamic Education Research 6, no. 1 (2025): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.35719/jier.v6i1.446
Harahap, Ainun, Sri Rahayu, and Hotni Sari Harahap. "Eksistensi Pendidikan Pondok Pesantren untuk Masyarakat Labuhanbatu." ALACRITY: Journal of Education 4, no. 1 (2024): 59–67. https://doi.org/10.52121/alacrity.v4i1.227
Harnadi, Dwi, Hotman Siahaan, and Masdar Hilmy. "Pesantren and the Preservation of Traditional Religious Authority in the Digital Age." Masyarakat, Kebudayaan dan Politik 34, no. 3 (2021): 272–280. https://doi.org/10.20473/mkp.v34i32021.272-280
Hastrida, Annisa, and Hendriyani. "Pengaruh Komunikasi Dialogis Terhadap Kepercayaan Pada Pemerintah." Jurnal Studi Komunikasi dan Media 27, no. 2 (2023): 141–160. https://doi.org/10.17933/jskm.2023.5144
Karim, Ahmad, Hadi Purnomo, Fitriyah Fikriyah, and Eny Nur Kardiyati. "A Charismatic Relationship: How a Kyai's Charismatic Leadership and Society's Compliance are Constructed?" Journal of Indonesian Economy and Business 35, no. 2 (2020): 129–143. https://doi.org/10.22146/jieb.54705
Khamid, Nur. "Kiai Communication's Contribution to Enhancing Organisational Effectiveness." Business and Applied Management Journal 2, no. 1 (2024): 48–59. https://doi.org/10.61987/bamj.v2i1.491
Khofi, Muhammad Busyairi, and Muhammad Furqon. "Strategi Kepemimpinan Kiai dalam Mengembangkan Pondok Pesantren." INCARE: International Journal of Educational Resources 5, no. 3 (2024): 265–288. https://doi.org/10.59689/incare.v5i3.1019
Khoirunnisaa', Khoirunnisaa', and Binti Maunah. "Karakteristik Kepemimpinan Transformasional di Lembaga Pendidikan Islam Tradisional dan Modern." MANAGERE: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management 3, no. 2 (2021): 31–42. https://doi.org/10.52627/ijeam.v3i2.124
Laksana, Muhammad Oki, and Nurhaliza Nurhaliza. "The Impact of Communication Ethics on the Communication Quality in Interpersonal Relationships." Eduvest: Journal of Universal Studies 3, no. 5 (2023): 989–995. https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v3i5.815
Lubis, Sarmaida. "Manajemen Hubungan Masyarakat dalam Pengembangan Pondok Pesantren Jauharoh Al-Mannan Kecamatan Panyabungan Selatan." MATAAZIR: Jurnal Administrasi dan Manajemen Pendidikan 3, no. 1 (2022): 285–291. https://doi.org/10.56874/jamp.v3i1.782
Miftakhul Rohman, and Laela Lutfiana Rachmah. "Kontribusi Tokoh Agama Sebagai Figur Teladan dalam Pendidikan Karakter di Lingkungan Sekolah." Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan 4, no. 1 (2025): 145–156. https://doi.org/10.58222/jurip.v4i1.1272
Miles, Matthew B., A. Michael Huberman, and Johnny Saldaña. Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2014.
Moh. Samsul Bahri. "Framing Interpersonal Kyai dalam Peningkatan Reputasi Pondok Pesantren Nurul Qadim." Aafiyah: Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu 1, no. 2 (2023): 112–127. https://doi.org/10.70610/ja.v1i02.174
Moleong, Lexy J. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Edisi Revisi. Bandung: Remaja Rosdakarya, 2017.
Mukri, Siti Ghaibah, and Gilang Ramadan Adiputra Putra. "Legalitas Pesantren Sebagai Lembaga Pendidikan Keagamaan Masyarakat Indonesia." Adalah 6, no. 5 (2022): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.15408/adalah.v6i5.27007
Ni'am, Syamsun, and Nurul Nafi'ah Arafah. "Transformasi Sistem Pendidikan Formal Pesantren." DIMAR: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 6, no. 1 (2024): 69–84. https://doi.org/10.58577/dimar.v6i1.271
Patton, Michael Quinn. Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2002.
Rahayuningsih, Sri, Agus Setiawan, Andi Warisno, Agung Ananda Andari, and Moh. Aly Anshori. "The Importance of Kyai Charismatic Leadership in the Formation of Akhlakul Karimah." JMKSP: Jurnal Manajemen, Kepemimpinan, dan Supervisi Pendidikan 8, no. 2 (2023): 461–471. https://doi.org/10.31851/jmksp.v8i2.11227
Rahmawati Alwi, Muhammad Luthfi Fawaid, and Tsabitah Irsyadi Aufa Baharun. "Strengthening the Role of Alumni in Improving the Quality and Quantity of Students." Journal of Educational Management Research 4, no. 3 (2025): 816–828. https://doi.org/10.61987/jemr.v4i3.902
Rifa'i, Muhammad, and Hamida Hamida. "Strategi Humas Kepala Madin dalam Meningkatkan Daya Saing Lembaga Pendidikan: Studi Kasus di Muallimat Mambaul Ulum Paiton." Jurnal Pendidikan, Sains Sosial, dan Agama 8, no. 1 (2022): 98–106. https://doi.org/10.53565/pssa.v8i1.437
Ruslan, and Maftuhah Imam. "Persepsi Masyarakat Terhadap Eksistensi Pesantren." Kariman: Jurnal Pendidikan Keislaman 10, no. 1 (2022): 137–152. https://doi.org/10.52185/kariman.v10i1.196
Shodikin, Galih Fuad, Ahmad Fawaid, and Lukman Sholeh. "An Analysis of Kyai's Charisma and Leadership in the Marketing of Islamic Boarding School Institutions." Edukatif: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan 5, no. 1 (2023): 642–650. https://doi.org/10.31004/edukatif.v5i1.4629
Sugiyono. Metode Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Alfabeta, 2019.
Titi Sartini. "Kyai as Moral Authority: Negotiating Religious Discipline and Cultural Identity in Pesantren." Managere: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management 7, no. 1 (2025): 70–81. https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v7i1.756
Trisnantari, Heny Endang, Moh. Gufron, and Putri Retno Ningsih. "Strategic Public Relations to Build Public Trust in Islamic Boarding Schools: A Case Study in Indonesia." Tarbawi: Jurnal Keilmuan Manajemen Pendidikan 10, no. 2 (2024): 325–336. https://doi.org/10.32678/tarbawi.v10i02.11541
Umam, Wahidul. "Kepemimpinan Kiai dalam Mengembangkan Pondok Pesantren." Attractive: Innovative Education Journal 2, no. 3 (2020): 61. https://doi.org/10.51278/aj.v2i3.60
Wahyudin, Agus, Ahmad Rohman, and Umi Fauziah. "Implementation of Public Relations Management Development at Boarding Schools in the Smart Society 5.0 Era." AL-WIJDĀN: Journal of Islamic Education Studies 8, no. 2 (2023): 197–212. https://doi.org/10.58788/alwijdn.v8i2.2416
Wakit, Slamet, Zaharuddin M., Dasep Supriatna, and Margiono Suyitno. "The Promotional Management of Salaf Islamic Boarding Schools in Increasing Animo of New Students." Halaqa: Islamic Education Journal 7, no. 2 (2023): 105–123. https://doi.org/10.21070/halaqa.v7i2.1657
Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. 6th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2018.
Yaqin M.S., Ahmad Ainul, and Reza Fahlifi. "Strategi Humas Pondok Pesantren Al-Qodiri dalam Mempertahankan Citra Pesantren." Medio Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi 1, no. 1 (2023): 33–48. https://doi.org/10.56013/mji.v1i1.1776
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Moh. Rifa’i, Sholahuddin Sholahuddin
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in Jurnal Al-Ijtimaiyyah agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. (See The Effect of Open Acces)
Mendeley
Zotero
Grammarly
Spelling & Grammar
Turnitin 
