The Dutch favored the priyayi (nobility) and abangan elites as administrative allies, viewing santri networks as potential jihadist threats. Consequently, santri developed parallel education, economy, and justice systems—voluntary but insulated ghettos of orthodoxy.
By implementing these recommendations, the role of Santri in Indonesian society can be strengthened, and their contributions to culture and social issues can be maximized.
Exclusive santri culture increasingly collides with national culture:
The BAZNAS (National Alms Agency) should redirect zakat (alms) from elite exclusive centers to traditional pesantren. When exclusive santri see that 80% of their zakat goes to luxury infrastructure, a moral reform movement may emerge.