The Impact of Western- and Middle Eastern-Educated Indonesian Scholars (1980–2010) on Islamic Education Challenges in Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the intellectual perspectives and thoughts related to education in Indonesia. The most influential Indonesian scholars who completed their higher education in Western and Middle Eastern institutions between 1980 and 2010, with a particular focus on their views regarding Islamic education, are investigated in a deeper perspective. The scholars selected for analysis consist of three graduates from Middle Eastern universities and three from Western universities, all of whom pursued religious or philosophical studies abroad. The findings indicate that the most decisive factor shaping their divergent perspectives is their overseas educational background, despite their shared foundational experience in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). These differences are reflected in their public statements, published works, and online video content. At the same time, this study also revealed a set of shared values among the scholars, particularly concerning the core principles of Islamic education and their collective commitment to national unity, peace, mutual support, and tolerance. These commonalities emerge as a unifying thread amid their diverse viewpoints. As representatives of Middle Eastern scholars, these included Komaruddin Hidayat, Abdul Shomad, and Adi Hidayat, where the representative of Western scholars included Azyumardi Azra, Nadirsyah Hosen, and Ahmad Syafii Maarif. The analysis offered in this paper presents a constructive discourse, demonstrating that the differing perspectives of Indonesian scholars educated in the West and the Middle East can positively enrich national conversations. Further study about the perspective of scholars is important for building the character of young generations in Indonesia about how multicultural and different perspectives of thinking are free to discuss and write about in academic perspectives.