Green Islam' and 'green Pesantren' : an ethnographic study of Pesantren Annuqayah, Madura Island, Indonesia

Abstract

The main intention of this thesis is to examine 'green' Islam, specifically that of the Muslim community in Indonesia, by exploring what Pesantren Annuqayah has done in dealing with environmental issues and problems. Borrowing Eriksen's term (2015) in the introduction to his influential book Small Places, Large Issues, I attempt to depict the particular and local, the 'small place' by exploring the way Pesantren Annuqayah conceptualizes and practices the environment based on religious (Islamic) and social foundations. At the same time, I also correlate my ethnographic reflection with theoretical issues in the study of religion and ecology (large issue). The empirical basis for this thesis is an outline of local responses to environmental problems based on religious (Islamic) and social foundations interpreted and practiced by Pesantren Annuqayah. Given the exploration and analysis through ethnographic study of Pesantren Annuqayah and by comparing it to another pesantren, Modern Daarul Uluum Lido, I argue that, as the oldest Islamic education system and institution in Indonesia, pesantren can play a significant role in finding alternative ways to deal with current environmental problems. This ethnographic study on Pesantren Annuqayah identifies that the green vision of pesantren rooted in Islamic teachings has been developed since the first generation of the founder until today's generation (the fourth generation). These religious foundations are embedded in Qur'anic verses, hadith (a collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad which, with accounts of his daily practice and in aqwalul ulama (legal opinions of Islamic clerics) related to environmental issues. These provide the theological, philosophical, and ethical foundations on which the pesantren translate and transform into green initiatives through the educational system and community engagement with local people. As an ethnographic reflection, I offer three propositions for the future of green pesantren in Indonesia. The first is a local initiative can contribute to overcoming global environmental problems. The second aspect is that pesantren are one of the best places for generating a green vision and seeding green initiatives. The third proposition is that while green pesantren are indeed a prospect for the future of sustainable development in Indonesian, they cannot move alone. Finally, this research is designed to enrich academic discourse and discussion on Islamic environmentalism, particularly within the new trend of green Islam and green pesantren in Indonesia, and generally to contribute to ethnographic studies in religion and ecology.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English