Visiting Gedongan Islamic Boarding School, Ganjar Pranowo Gets A Special Gift

Ganjar Pranowo received a special gift in the form of sticks and prayer beads. (IST)

CIREBON 2024 presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo received a special surprise from Kiai Abdul Hayyi Imam, while staying in touch at the Gedongan Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon, October 8. Ganjar's arrival at an old hut in West Java was greeted with enthusiasm by scholars, as well as hundreds of students and the community.

Ganjar was then invited by Kiai Hayyi to his residence. Inside the house, there were several other big kiai who were waiting there. After receiving a very extraordinary welcome, Ganjar did not expect to receive a special gift from Kiai Hayyi.

During the meeting at the residence, Kiai Hayyi gave Ganjar a baton and prayer beads. The sticks and prayer beads are so special because they are made of real safari wood which is very rare.

"This link has a very high philosophy, blind people use sticks, but the commander also carries a stick. And strangely, there is also a stick in the pulpit. So I gave this stick to Pak Ganjar to continue the tradition of ancient clerics," said Kiai Hayyi.

Ganjar Pranowo then discussed with kiai and ulama in Cirebon. There are various issues discussed, including education issues. Ganjar initiated readiness in welcoming Indonesia to advance by preparing human resources, starting from education.

"I started in Central Java by making education programs a priority. I built a free Central Java school boarding school for poor students and it worked," he said.

Apart from education, many things were discussed in the Ganjar meeting with the ulama. Starting from state, religion, politics, social and others.

"From the ideas and ideas conveyed, Mr. Ganjar really has a high and great commitment to the progress of the nation and people. His figure is very simple and religious," said Kiai Hayyi.

For this reason, Kiai Hayyi believes that Ganjar will be able to become a future leader. He believes that he will not be wrong in giving his ridho.

"We believe that Allah will not be sad (sleeping) and there is no wrong address. The Indonesian nation entrusts the leadership of this country to Pak Ganjar. We pray together that he will be appointed president in 2024," he concluded.

In addition to discussing with the ulama and greeting the community, Ganjar Pranowo also took the time to visit Kiai Muhammad Sa'id Gedongan's grave. This well-known figure who spreads Islam throughout West Java as well as this great scholar has given birth to many figures in Indonesia. Among them are Kiai Nachrowi, Kiai Maksum Siroj and Kiai Said Aqil Siroj, Kiai Mahrus Ali and others. Former chairman of PBNU Kiai Said Aqil Siroj, is a descendant of Kiai Muhammad Sa'id.