Gus Yahya Attends Pesantrenku Aman Declaration in South Kalimantan
Dozens of Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren) in South Kalimantan took part in the declaration of the Pesantrenku Aman National Movement, attended directly by the Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), KH Yahya Cholil Staquf.
The Pesantrenku Aman declaration was centred at Darul Ilmu Islamic Boarding School in Banjarbaru and was attended by thousands of students and administrators from 20 pesantren across South Kalimantan on Tuesday (11/8). Pesantrenku Aman is a national movement launched by the government together with PBNU through the Rabithah Ma’ahid Islamiyah (RMI) and Saka Pesantren. The movement aims to create an environment in Islamic boarding schools and madrasahs that is free from all forms of physical, verbal and sexual violence, as well as bullying, in order to guarantee the safety and comfort of students.
PBNU Chairman KH Yahya Cholil Staquf said the Pesantrenku Aman movement has been an NU agenda since the beginning of the year to strengthen cooperation among pesantren in realising the concept of a safe and child-friendly pesantren. “It discusses what the security standards are, what needs exist and are identified, and then how we can cooperate between pesantren to realise them,” said Gus Yahya.
He said the involvement of 20 pesantren is an initial step to bring together the needs of each pesantren while seeking forms of cooperation that can be undertaken to meet security needs. Follow-up actions from the activity will be carried out through a mentoring programme involving the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU) and PBNU in the regions.
Cooperation between pesantren is important so that the needs for building a safe pesantren can be addressed collectively through the exchange of experiences and support according to each institution’s conditions. Gus Yahya expressed hope that the activity would mark the beginning of a follow-up programme that expands pesantren involvement so that efforts to build safe pesantren can be carried out sustainably within the Nahdlatul Ulama community.
The Secretary of the Rabithah Ma’ahid Islamiyah of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (RMI-PBNU), Gus Ulun, said the continuing prevalence of violence cases within pesantren environments poses a challenge for all parties to create a safe environment in Islamic boarding schools and madrasahs, so that the educational process can run properly.
Gus Yahya’s visit to South Kalimantan, in addition to attending the Pesantrenku Aman National Movement declaration, also included the inauguration of PCNU boards across South Kalimantan. The visit, or roadshow, by Gus Yahya is also said to be related to consolidation in preparation for the 35th NU Congress, which will be held on 27–31 August 2026 in Jombang, East Java.