MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — Though widely recognized for its 163 universities, Muhammadiyah in fact owns even more pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) across Indonesia.
According to the data from Department of Islamic Boarding School (LP2M) of Muhammadiyah Central Board (PP Muhammadiyah) in 2024, there are 444 officially registered pesantren under Muhammadiyah’s legal ownership
Chairperson of PP Muhammadiyah, Kiai Saad Ibrahim (28/08/2024), stated that this makes Muhammadiyah the Islamic organization with the largest number of pesantren in Indonesia.
“These. 444 pesantren are formally owned by Muhammadiyah as an institution, not by individuals,” affirmed Kiai Saad.
The growth has been remarkable. In 2015, Muhammadiyah recorded only 127 pesantren spread across 15 provinces. Less than a decade later, in 2024, that number has soared to 444 pesantren in 27 provinces.
LP2M Chairperson, Maskuri, expressed confidence that the number will continue to rise, in line with the organization’s growing need for ulama (Islamic scholars) regeneration within Muhammadiyah.
The 48th Muhammadiyah Muktamar National Congress in Surakarta mandated that pesantren programs be directed toward establishing Islamic and Muhammadiyah-based education characterized by the spirit of Progressive Islam.
From the Muktamar, Muhammadiyah were defined by the holistic and integrative characteristics, aiming to produce lifelong learners with progressive and inclusive mindsets.
Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Muhadjir Effendy, also noted a surge in student interest at several Muhammadiyah pesantren, with some even turning away applicants due to limited classroom capacity.
LP2M PP Muhammadiyah Recognizes 32 Outstanding Pesantren as Exemplary:
In 2022 LP2M PP Muhammadiyah published the book “Menuju Pesantrenmu Berkemajuan: Best Practice Pesantren Unggulan dan Rujukan” (“Toward Muhammadiyah Progressive Pesantren: Best Practices from Model Institutions”), listing 34 leading Muhammadiyah pesantren as national references. Among them are:
- Madrasah Mu’allimin Muhammadiyah Jogja
- Madrasah Mu’allimat Muhammadiyah Jogja
- Darul Arqam Garut
- Ponpes Karangasem Muhammadiyah Paciran
- Pesantren Al Mujahidin Balikpapan
- Pesantren Muhammadiyah Al Furqon Tasikmalaya
- Imam Syuhodo Sukoharjo
- Ponpes MBS Yogyakarta
- Pondok Modern Muhammadiyah Paciran
- Sekolah Pesantren Entrepreneur Al Ma’un Muhammadiyah (SPEAM) Pasuruan
- MBS Ki Bagus Hadikusumo Bogor
- MBS Al Amin Bojonegoro
- Pesantren Modern Muhammadiyah Kwala Madu
- Pesantren Modern Al Kautsar Muhammadiyah Harau
- Pesantren Puteri Ummul Mukminin Makassar
- MBS Bireuen
- Pesantren Kauman Muhammadiyah Padang Panjang
- Darul Arqom Muhammadiyah Serang
- Trensains Sragen
- ‘Aisyiyah Boarding School Bandung
- PTQ ‘Aisyiyah Ponorogo
- Pesantren Muhammadiyah Al Mujahidin Gunungkidul
- MBS Zam-Zam Cilongok
- Pesantren Modern Wiriosoedarmo Muhammadiyah (PMWM) Gombong
- Pesantren Amanah Muhammadiyah Tasikmalaya
- Pondok Modern Darul Arqom Patean Kendal
- Internasional Muhammadiyah Boarding School Miftahul Ulum Pekajangan
- Pesantren At Tajdid Muhammadiyah Tasikmalaya
- Pesantren Almatera Temanggung
- Ponpes Istiqamah Muhammadiyah Samarinda
- Pesantren Tahfizhul Qur’an Mu’allimin Muhammadiyah Sawah Dangka.
Through this expansive and structured pesantren network, Muhammadiyah continues to strengthen its role as a national Islamic movement that integrates faith, knowledge, and community service in nurturing future Muslim generation.
