Visits Ponpes Tebuireng Jombang, TNI Commander: Kiai Has An Important Role In Helping The Government Deal With COVID-19

JAKARTA - Religious leaders, including kiai and ulama as well as the ranks of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), have an important role in helping the government overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was conveyed by TNI Commander Marshal TNI Hadi Tjahjanto. while reviewing mass vaccination at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, Jombang, East Java, Wednesday, August 25.

The TNI commander said the kiai have a strong influence on the santri group and the community so that religious leaders can participate in disseminating information on the importance of maintaining health protocols and participating in vaccinations to suppress the spread of disease.

Therefore Marshal Hadi hopes that the kiai can continue to support the government, especially in implementing various COVID-19 prevention programs.

At least 4,500 people are targeted to be vaccinated at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, Wednesday. The participants for the vaccination were the students, the caretakers of the Islamic boarding school, and the administrators of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School.

"Awareness of complying with health protocols must be built from within, being responsible for yourself, family, and the environment by reporting and receiving treatment when you have symptoms, then the pandemic can be controlled," said the TNI Commander to the students and other vaccination participants, quoted by Antara.

During a visit to the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, the TNI Commander together with the National Police Chief Gen. Pol Listyo Sigit Prabowo also discussed with the kiai.

The TNI Commander and the National Police Chief hope that the kiai can use a local wisdom approach to educate the public to comply with health protocols, seek treatment and carry out centralized isolation, and participate in vaccinations.

The Commander also hopes that the kiai can remind the students and the public that vaccines do not completely prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Therefore, masks are protective equipment that must be worn every time you go out and meet other people.

"Remember, even though we have been vaccinated, we still have to wear masks, because wearing masks means we care about ourselves and also take care of others around us," explained the TNI Commander.

After holding a meeting with the kiai and reviewing the implementation of vaccinations, the TNI Commander continued to communicate with the leaders of the Military District Command (Kodim) who carried out vaccinations at Islamic boarding schools in their respective areas.