Kiai Cholil: Tighten Boundaries of Interaction Between Female Students and Male Supervisors

Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), KH M Cholil Nafis, has called on pesantren to tighten the boundaries of interaction between female students and their supervisors. This statement comes in response to allegations of a sexual violence case at Ponpes Ndholo Kusumo, Tlogowungu, Pati, Central Java. Kiai Cholil expressed profound concern over the incident. He assessed that the event damages the dignity of pesantren as an educational institution that should serve as a place for moral development and teaching Islamic values. “It is truly saddening and mournful. At a pesantren, where morals are nurtured and Islamic law is taught, such a grave sin is committed by a kiai,” said Kiai Cholil when met by Republika.co.id at the MUI office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (5/5/2026). To prevent similar incidents, according to Kiai Cholil, the primary step that pesantren must take is to tighten the boundaries of interaction between men and women, particularly between male supervisors and adult female students. He emphasised the importance of the role of nyai and ustazah in nurturing female students.