MUI Supports Judicial Review of Pesantren Law, Calls for Equality Not Charity

The Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) Pesantren Commission, KH Ahmad Fahrur Rozi (Gus Fahrur), has expressed support for the judicial review of Law Number 18 of 2019 on Pesantren currently being examined by the Constitutional Court (MK). He described the effort as a constitutional endeavour to achieve justice for pesantren. “As Chairman of the MUI Pesantren Commission, I support this constitutional step and hope the Constitutional Court will deliver the best ruling to strengthen legal certainty for pesantren and ensure the mandate of the Pesantren Law can be realised more concretely in state policy,” Gus Fahrur stated in a written release received on Friday (12/6/2026).

Gus Fahrur emphasised that the struggle is not merely about securing additional budget allocations, but about justice for pesantren as part of their constitutional rights. “Pesantren do not need pity. Pesantren need equality as their constitutional right,” he asserted.

Case Number 75/PUU-XXIV/2026 currently before the Constitutional Court is reviewing provisions concerning funding in the Pesantren Law. Various pesantren stakeholders consider that the existing rules leave room for multiple interpretations, potentially leading to uncertainty in implementation.

The PBNU chairman explained that the enactment of the Pesantren Law marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time the state explicitly recognised pesantren as institutions for education, religious outreach, and community empowerment that form an integral part of the national education system. Gus Fahrur noted that this recognition is something to be grateful for, given that pesantren existed long before the Republic of Indonesia was founded. Throughout history, pesantren have played a role in educating the public, building the nation’s moral character, safeguarding moderate Islamic values, and producing figures who contributed to the independence struggle and national development.