President Jokowi Joins Ngawi Residents to Perform Friday Prayer

President Jokowi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono perform Friday prayer at Baiturrahman Great Mosque in Ngawi regency, East Java province, Friday (12/17). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

Following his working visit to Blora regency in Central Java province, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (12/17) continued the working visit to Ngawi regency in the neighboring East Java province.

The President arrived at Wedya Graha Pavilion in the regency at around 11.30 western Indonesian time and went to Baiturrahman Great Mosque located 400 meters from the pavilion.

The President rode in a golf cart accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno and Regent of Ngawi Ony Anwar.

Upon arrival at the mosque, the President was welcomed by Vice Regent of Ngawi Dwi Riyanto Jatmiko and the mosque management committee who acted as the khatib (a man who delivers the sermon during Friday prayer) Dr. Kyai A. Halil Thahir. The Friday prayer was led by K. H. Samsudin and the muezzin (a man who calls Muslims to prayer) was Ustaz(teacher) Warsito.

In his khutbah (sermon), the khatib mentioned four pillars that build a nation and a country in Islamic perspective, namely ulemas (Muslim scholars) who give enlightenment, leaders who are fair, the rich who care about the poor, and people who support their leaders in achieving a peaceful, safe, and prosperous life.

“If those four elements of the people and the nation unite, complement each other, they will achieve all worldly and spiritual benefits. Benefits that will lead to safety and peace in this world and in the afterlife,” the khatib remarked.

After Friday prayer, the President went back to the pavilion.

In Ngawi, the President is set to give cash assistance to street and warung (small traditional retail store) vendors and to inspect Ngawi Central Market. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (DH/EP)