Al-Zaytun Contemporary Education: Building Philosophical, Ecological and Sociological Awareness
By Dr. Ali Aminulloh, M.Pd.I. M.E.
On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the 16th session of the Al-Zaytun Student Training was held at the Rahmatan lil Alamin Mosque. The resource person was Sheikh AS. Panji Gumilang, S.Sos., M.P. The event was attended by more than 2,400 participants from various educational institutions at Al-Zaytun. Before the participants, Sheikh Al Zaytun delivered a clear and inspiring idea. This was more than just a lecture; it was a public lecture on Contemporary Educational Philosophy, a manifesto aimed at transforming boarding school education into modern 21st-century education, in line with the ideals of Indonesia’s 100th anniversary of Independence.
Education, often likened to a compass guiding civilization, now faces major challenges. In an era of constant progress, static methods are no longer relevant. We cannot continue to play catch-up. It’s time to boldly embrace the future, a concept that is at the heart of contemporary education. This is a revolutionary approach that relies not only on curriculum and facilities but also fosters a deep awareness in each individual.
From Memorization to Embracing Progress
Traditional education often shackles students to rote learning without demanding understanding or application. Meanwhile, modern education, although more structured, remains fixated on a “catch-up” mindset that philosophically keeps us behind.
Contemporary education presents itself as a bold new paradigm. Its philosophy is to embrace progress, a concept that demands revolutionary change, not mere improvement. Therefore, the facilities needed cannot be arbitrary. Dormitories, for example, were chosen as the primary “facility.” Why? Because dormitories are a miniature version of life. There, individuals not only learn theory, but also experience fundamental social interaction and independence. This is a concrete step towards creating a modern Indonesia in the 21st century.
Trilogy of Consciousness: The Foundation of Holistic Change
Contemporary education is built on three fundamental consciousnesses that are its main characteristics.
Philosophical Consciousness: This is the consciousness that encourages each individual to always ask, “Why?”, “How?”, and “For what?”. When establishing a polytechnic, for example, the fundamental question is “Why are we establishing it?”. The power of the mind is far more essential than a sophisticated PowerPoint presentation.
Ecological Consciousness: Humans must realize that they are an inseparable part of the universe. In Al-Fatihah, there is the phrase “alhamdulillah rabbil alamin,” which emphasizes that humans are part of the universe. This awareness raises the critical question, “Can a polytechnic be built without damaging the environment?” True environmental protection is not merely symbolic tree planting, but rather understanding the character and consciously caring for every element of nature.
Social Awareness: Education must have a real impact on society. Without social awareness, the knowledge gained is wasted. Contemporary education demands that its graduates be independent and possess the ability to create a positive impact. Rampant corruption, for example, reflects the failure of education to foster social awareness.
Beyond Boundaries: Independence and Noble Morals
The outcome of contemporary education is an independent individual. Unlike modern education, which tends to create dependence on the system, contemporary education is oriented toward producing innovative “bosses” or leaders. These individuals understand not only muamalah (interactions) with fellow humans (ma’an naas) and nature (ma’al biah), but also with the Creator (ma’a khalik) and technological progress (ma’a ad-dzaka ash-shinai).
This is the essence of Novum Gradum, a concept promoted by Shaykh Panji Gumilang. This is an educational trilogy that perfects the philosophies of Aristotle and Francis Bacon. Novum Gradum is a new path that integrates civilization and spiritual values. Successful education is based on morality, a true foundation that distinguishes contemporary education from others.
A New Path to Civilization
Humans are creatures inseparable from the past, but they should not be shackled by it. History is merely a comparison, not a burden to be carried. In Arabic, there is the verb madhi (past tense) for the past and the verb mudhari’ (present-future tense) for the never-ending movement forward.
Therefore, contemporary education is not just a method, but a spirit to continuously move forward, embracing the progress that awaits. By instilling philosophical, ecological, and social awareness, we are shaping a generation that will not be forgotten. They are not only intelligent, but also possess noble character. They are the Parikesit and Hangestri of the 21st century—individuals who dare to make changes for the sake of realizing a tolerant and peaceful civilization, without sacrificing noble values and humanity.**
Indramayu, September 21, 2025
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