Vice President Emphasizes Islamic Boarding Schools Have A Role To Prevent Polarization During Elections

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin visited the Annuqayah Islamic Boarding School in Sumenep, East Java, Wednesday (9/8/2023). BETWEEN/HO-BPMI Setwapres

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin emphasized that Islamic boarding schools have a role to play in preventing polarization in the community during general elections.

This was conveyed by the Vice President in his statement on the sidelines of a working visit in Sumenep, East Java, Wednesday, August 9.

"Persantren usually directs the public so that there is no polarization, division," said the Vice President as quoted by ANTARA.

The Vice President conveyed that the principle that pesantren built was to love the homeland some of faith.

Therefore, said the Vice President, pesantren must always try to protect the country, for example by contributing to providing understanding to the community, so that there are no clashes in choosing a candidate for national leader.

Ma'ruf Amin said pesantren itself, in this case kiai and ulama, always choose the best candidate leaders from the good, namely those who meet at least three criteria, namely advantages, feasibility and those who bring the most mashahaat.

The criteria are these three. If there are (nominated leaders) who excel, (but) choose those who are not superior, it is not allowed. Then if he does not choose the best even though there is the best, he is considered to have betrayed Allah and His servants," he said.

"Well, how is the best usually the kiai have their own (choice). It's usually whispers (not expressed to the public). Kiai doesn't announce it, not in clear language, just sign language," he added.