Said Aqil Asks Ganjar To Maintain The Archipelago Islamic Concept

JAKARTA - The Advisory Board (Mustasyar) of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board KH Said Aqil Siroj hopes that the concept of Islam Nusantara can be maintained by the presidential candidate (Readpres) Ganjar Pranowo.

"So, my idea about Islam Nusantara later if Mas Ganjar becomes president, it will be continued if necessary to be exported abroad," he said in a written statement quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, October 5.

Kiai Said explained the concept of Islam in the archipelago, namely, one way is Islam in unity with culture. Culture is used as the foundation of Islam, it is a friendly Islam.

This was conveyed by Kiai Said when receiving a visit from Ganjar Pranowo with his wife Siti Atikoh at the Luhur Al-Tsaqafah Islamic Boarding School, South Jakarta, Thursday night.

Kiai Said said he was grateful for Ganjar's arrival. He also prayed for Ganjar to be elected president in 2024.

"Alhamdulillah, tonight is the atsaqofah pesantren for the arrival of national figures, which God willing, will provide a way of convenience, he will be elected as the next president, namely Pak Ganjar Pranowo," he said.

Said also admitted that he was close to Siti Atikoh's grandfather, KH Hisyam Abdul Karim. According to him, Kyai Hisyam is a Nahdlatul Ulama fighter from Purbalingga. Meanwhile, with Ganjar, Said has been friends since Ganjar was in the DPR RI.

Meanwhile, Ganjar expressed his gratitude for the arrival at the Luhur Al-Tsaqafaah Islamic Boarding School being warmly welcomed by the caregiver's family. When asked if his arrival asked Said Aqil to become a vice presidential candidate, Ganjar answered jokingly.

"Not only asking about the vice president, but also about the state, nation, the story about the Islamic archipelago because it is very ideological and far very important from pragmatic ones," said Ganjar.

Ganjar received many advices, especially regarding Islamic history in Indonesia and its figures.

"And we must be firm in defending it. In other terms, we have a personality in culture," he said.

During the visit, Ganjar was also asked to motivate the students at the Islamic boarding school auditorium. At the end of the event, the former Governor of Central Java for two periods received a book prize by KH Said Aqil Siroj entitled "God and the Universe", as well as the NU logo with gold carvings.