ABSTRACT
Ahmad Fatahillah Jurjani. 2025. The Role of Kiai’s Charismatic Authority in Shaping Santri’s Religious Identity in the Modern Era: A Qualitative Case Study at Nurul Hidayah Pesantren, Berau, East Kalimantan. Master’s Thesis, Postgraduate Program, Muhammadiyah University of Ponorogo, Indonesia.
Supervisors: (1) Dr. Syarifan Nurjan, M.A. (2) Dr. Muh. Tajab, M.A.
Keywords: Charismatic Authority, Kiai, Religious Identity, Santri, Pesantren, Digital Era, Modernization, Nurul Hidayah.
Social change and digital technology have posed new challenges to the charismatic authority of kiai (Islamic clerics) in Indonesia’s pesantren (Islamic boarding school) tradition. This research addresses concerns over religious authority disruption, where santri (students) now rely on both kiai and digital religious content for knowledge acquisition. Nurul Hidayah Pesantren in Berau, East Kalimantan, was chosen as the case study due to its position outside the Javanese pesantren heartland and within a multicultural environment. This study examines the charismatic authority of kiais in shaping santris religious identity in the modern era and explores the strategies they use to adapt to digitalization.
This study adopted a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through participatory observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation of educational activities in the pesantren. The research subjects included kiai, santri, teachers, and administrators involved in religious identity formation. Data analysis was conducted through reduction, categorization, and thematic interpretation, using theoretical frameworks of Max Weber's charismatic authority, Milton Rokeach's value internalization, and Anthony Giddens' reflexive modernity.
The findings show that kiai's charismatic authority remains central to shaping santri's religious identity through exemplary conduct, classical text instruction, and strong emotional bonds. Digital disruption has affected santri's religious consumption patterns, making them more pluralistic in nature. Kiai at Pesantren Nurul Hidayah respond through adaptive strategies including technological integration and renewed preaching methods. Santri maintain reverence for their kiai while exploring online religious sources. This study recommends strengthening value-based digital literacy and preserving pesantren traditions to maintain the Kiai’s charismatic authority in the modern era.