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Articles

Vol. 1 No. 5 (2026): JUNI : MUJAHADAH JURNAL ILMU MULTIDISIPLIN

Pesantren Studies in the Global Era: Educational Transformation, Digitalization, and Religious Moderation

Submitted
July 16, 2026
Published
2026-06-01

Abstract

Pesantren, as indigenous Islamic educational institutions, play a strategic role in responding to global dynamics through educational transformation, the integration of digital technologies, and the promotion of religious moderation. This study aims to examine research trends, synthesize key findings, and identify gaps in the existing literature concerning the transformation of pesantren in the global era by employing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed across Scopus, Web of Science, Dimensions, Crossref, Google Scholar, and Garuda using keywords related to pesantren, educational transformation, digitalization, and religious moderation. The initial search yielded 486 publications. Following the processes of identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and the exclusion of studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 30 articles were selected for thematic analysis. The findings reveal that 12 studies (40%) focus on educational transformation, 10 studies (33.3%) examine the digitalization of pesantren, and 8 studies (26.7%) address religious moderation. Educational transformation is characterized by the integration of Islamic and general education curricula, the modernization of institutional governance, and the development of twenty-first-century competencies. Meanwhile, digitalization has facilitated the adoption of technology in teaching and learning, institutional administration, and Islamic outreach (da'wah), although its implementation continues to face challenges related to limited technological infrastructure and inadequate digital literacy. Religious moderation emerges as a fundamental pillar in fostering students who are tolerant, inclusive, and well equipped to navigate the complexities of an increasingly interconnected global society. Overall, this review concludes that educational transformation, digitalization, and religious moderation constitute three interrelated pillars that collectively enhance the quality, relevance, and global competitiveness of pesantren while preserving their Islamic identity and long-standing scholarly traditions.

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