NU and Muhammadiyah Santri Have Different Views on Trans7 Pesantren Program

 Rizky Anggara(30802300017)

  

Source: Perbedaan dan persamaan NU dengan Muhammadiyah. ©2015 Merdeka.com

 

Kudus, Central Java, November 2, 2025  The Trans7 program Xpose Uncensored, which aired an episode about the daily life of Pesantren Lirboyo in East Java, has received mixed reactions from Islamic students. Santri from NU and Muhammadiyah both said the program was misleading, but they responded in very different ways.

Apri, a santri from Bustanul Ulum Pati, said the program did not show pesantren life fairly. He believed the host spoke without enough understanding and even mentioned Kiai Anwar Manshur without a clear reason. “If the media want to report about pesantren, they should come and see what really happens inside,” Apri said.

He added that the show’s tone sounded too sharp and one-sided. According to him, the narration focused too much on negative assumptions and ignored the positive sides of pesantren. “Many pesantren help their students continue their studies and even give scholarships. That part is never shown,” he said.

Apri also commented on the online protest that used the hashtag #BoikotTrans7. He said the movement was emotional but understandable. “People were upset because they care about their pesantren, but we should respond with facts, not anger,” he said. He added that protests were fine as long as they stayed peaceful and respectful.

On the other hand, Yusril Izza, a Muhammadiyah santri from Maahid Kudus, had a calmer reaction. He agreed that the program lacked sensitivity but said anger would not fix anything. “We should not fight the media. It is better to take this as a chance to educate them about pesantren,” Yusril said.

He explained that Muhammadiyah students are taught to face problems through reason and discussion. For him, criticism is useful only when it helps people understand. “When something goes wrong, we should explain it in a way that teaches, not attacks,” he said. Yusril believes dialogue can build a better relationship between the media and Islamic schools.

He also said that Trans7  apology was a good first step, but not enough. “Saying sorry is not the end. The media should learn more about pesantren culture and show both the spiritual and social sides of Islamic education,” he said. He suggested that Trans7 invite scholars from both NU and Muhammadiyah to help create programs that give a more balanced view.

Although Apri and Yusril came from different backgrounds, both shared the same concern about how pesantren are shown in the media. Their reactions showed two sides of Indonesia Islamic tradition. Apri, from NU, responded firmly and emotionally, protecting the honor of pesantren and their teachers. Yusril, from Muhammadiyah, focused on calm communication and education to bring understanding.

The Trans7 issue has become more than just a television problem. It has turned into a reminder of how two big Islamic movements in Indonesia can have the same goal but different paths. NU tends to protect with emotion and loyalty to tradition, while Muhammadiyah prefers reason and learning. Both sides hope that the media will report pesantren life with more care, honesty, and respect.