Abstract

Pesantren or Islamic boarding school arises as educational institutions flourishing in Indonesia, although recognition of them becomes a contention. This study then analyzes the theoretical ground for the State and Pesantren relations viewed from the relationship between the State and Religion theory and the implementation of State recognition for Islamic boarding schools, as outlined in the Pesantren Act. The research employs a qualitative approach with the juridical-normative method to analyze the State and Pesantren relationship, specifically from the State and Religion relationship theory perspective. A total of seven informants who provided information were selected by purposive random sampling; 2 people from the former legislature, two from the ministry of religion, and the remaining three from the board of the pesantren. From the research result, it is concluded that the state-religion relationship model in Indonesia is included in the weak establishment model; that is, the relationship between religion and the State is present but not fully controlled. Such implementation of the relationship between the State and Pesantren in the Statute on Pesantren is by formulating articles regarding the acknowledgment of their role in the National Education System for equality reasons. This recognition can be in the form of increasing the budget for developing Pesantren, creating self-sufficient Islamic boarding schools, and improving the quality of education through quality assurance institutions for Pesantren, manifested in the Masyayikh Council and Masyayikh Assembly.