Jakarta, Oct. 15 -- Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar called on the public to understand pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools) fully and culturally after a private TV station aired a satirical segment that sparked widespread criticism for mocking pesantren traditions.

"I am shocked and concerned by the negative portrayal of pesantren ," Nasaruddin said on Wednesday in Jakarta.

The broadcast included a sarcastic claim that " santri [students] must squat even to drink milk," which many saw as disrespectful to pesantren' s values of politeness and the respect santri show to their kiai (religious leaders).

The segment triggered protests from the public and pesantren communities, including the prominent Lirboyo Islam...