Madrasah and Muslim Intellectuals in Contemporary Aceh

Abstract

This study examines the achievements of professors who are alumni of the Special Program Madrasah Aliyah (MAPK) in Aceh. This analysis is conducted through documentary research, sourced from credible websites that detail the achievements, stories, and profiles of five MAPK Banda Aceh alumni who became professors: Muhammad Yasir Yusuf, Danial, Ismail Fahmi Arrauf Nasution, Kamaruzzaman Bustamam-Ahmad, and Salman Abdul Muthalib. The article presents findings that MAPK Banda Aceh alumni have succeeded in becoming professors across various academic fields, including Islamic Law, Islamic Thought, Anthropology of Religion, Islamic Economics, and Fiqh. This success is attributed to the pivotal role of the “state pesantren” during the era of Munawir Sjadzali, which supported academic works, scholarly roles, as well as social and religious activities. The study highlights the success of the MAN-PK program under the Ministry of Religious Affairs in producing high-quality graduates who contribute to society. Based on Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Social Capital, the academic figures among MAPK alumni leverage social networks and academic relationships to drive changes in education, Islamic thought, and social contributions