Commemorating Santri Day, Jokowi Proposed To Be The Father Of Indonesian Santri

Jokowi is proposed to become the Father of Indonesian Santri. (Doc Antara)

JAKARTA – It's been seven years since students from all over the country have celebrated Santri Day. It all started when 22 October 2015 was declared by President Jokowi as Santri Day. That's why Gus Saifuddin as the Chairman of the Central Jakarta PCNU proposed Jokowi as the father of Indonesian santri.

“President Joko Widodo has decided October 22 as Santri Day. The decision was issued in October 2015. It is very wise and fitting if we propose Mr. Jokowi as the Father of Indonesian Santri," this was conveyed by Gus Syaifuddin, the Chairman of the PCNU Central Jakarta during the commemoration of the 2022 Santri Day at the Acacia Hotel, Wednesday 19 October.

Gus Syaifuddin explained that Mr. Jokowi was very instrumental in the world of education and religion in Indonesia. Through this policy, a decision was made in favor of the santri and the pesantren.

“If there is no santri day, it is very possible that there will be very few policies that pay attention to santri and pesantren. So it is very appropriate if Mr. Jokowi is proposed as the father of Indonesian santri," he explained.

Gus Syaifuddin added that in historical records, the santri since before independence until today are still fighting with the Indonesian state. "There is no name for a student who is against the state.

Gus Saifuddin, Chairman of the Central Jakarta PCNU. (Spc)

Santri will remain obedient to their Kiai and love their nation. The santri's love for the Republic of Indonesia is intact, remains steadfast even though life is the substitute," he explained.

Gus Syaifuddin said that santri day does not belong only to NU, but belongs to all elements who love the sarong and peci. “A person called a santri is not only one who has studied in a boarding school dormitory, but also those who have a character like santri. This must be remembered and understood by all children of the nation," he said.

The event to commemorate Santri Day this time was attended by Deputy Chairperson of the MPR RI H. Jazilul Fawaid, Chairman of DKI Jakarta PWNU KH. Samsul Maarif, PWNU DKI Jakarta Secretary Gus Bahauddin, Central Jakarta PCNU Mustasyar KH Yusuf Aman, Central Jakarta PCNU Rais Syuriyah KH Ahmad Samman, Central Jakarta PCNU Syuriyah Head KH Robi Fadhil, DKI Jakarta Welfare Assistant Uus Kuswanto, Acting Central Jakarta Deputy Mayor Iqbal Akbarudin, Central Jakarta Police Chief Komarudin, Central Jakarta Dandim Ato Sudiatna.