Violence in Pesantren and the Culture of Silence Behind Religious Walls

Abstract

This article explores the occurrence of bullying in Islamic boarding schools and the culture of silence that exists within religious institutions. Pesantren is considered a place where students can receive education and develop their skills, but they are also involved in acts of bullying due to their physical and psychological nature. This research reveals that the hierarchical structure and culture of seniority in Islamic boarding schools create conditions that are prone to bullying, where young students are subjected to arbitrary actions by older students. The article also mentions other factors that discourage students from reporting bullying, such as fear of retaliation and lack of support from boarding school administrators. Utilizing descriptive techniques, this study seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of bullying in Islamic boarding schools and emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and responsive environment to incidents of violent behavior.