Said Aqil Siroj: Elite And The People Must Be Connected Through Gathering

Chairman of the Islamic Ormas Friendship Institute (LPOI) Said Aqil Siroj during a pilgrimage to Affan Kurniawan's residence in Jakarta, Tuesday (2/9/2025). BETWEEN/HO-LPOI

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Islamic Ormas Friendship Institute (LPOI) Said Aqil Siroj emphasized that the elite and the people must be connected through friendship.

"The insumption of communication between the elite and the people can trigger offenses that lead to public distrust, which in time could lead to protests," Kiai Said said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 2.

Therefore, he invited all elements of the nation to strengthen the tradition of friendship as an effective communication bridge in maintaining national unity and prevent misunderstandings between parties.

This was conveyed by Said Aqil during a pilgrimage to the residence of the family of the late Affan Kurniawan, along with the LPOI management and the Indonesian Online Ojek Association, in Jakarta, Tuesday.

According to him, the tradition of friendship needs to be maintained and strengthened, in order to strengthen three important forms of brotherhood in the life of the nation.

The three forms are ukhuwah Islamiyah (brotherhood of fellow Muslims), ukhuwah wathoniyah (brotherhood of nationality), and ukhuwah insaniyah (humanitarian brotherhood).

"By strengthening and increasing the intensity of friendship, communication between the nation's elite and the people can be reconnected," said Kiai Said.

He emphasized the need to expand the form of communication towards Silatul Ilmi (the connection of ideas), Silatul Amal (the connection of actions), and Silatul Maal (the connection of material support) so that the relationship between the people and leaders is stronger and more productive.

He also highlighted the importance of utilizing the approach of the channel approach, namely the combination of online and offline lanes, to keep public communication rooms open and prevent the entry of provocations that damage social cohesion.

Regarding the national situation that is starting to improve, Kiai Said invites the public to support the government's efforts to maintain state stability.

"We must immediately be able to control the damage (damage control). Let us support the efforts of the President, Police, BIN, and TNI in maintaining and restoring the situation through the Indonesian Guard Movement, namely guarding their respective areas so that rioters do not infiltrate them," he said.

To religious leaders, the public, and youth, Kiai Said appealed to also call for calming and soothing messages and to prevent provocations that could cloud the atmosphere.

Especially for the younger generation who convey their aspirations, he encourages demands to be channeled democratically through the right channels.

Meanwhile, to the security forces, he advised them to prioritize a persuasive and gentle approach in their duties.