Mothers are the first and the most important educational institution for our children, says President Jokowi
President Joko Widodo during the 70th Anniversary of Nahdlatul Ulama, on Saturday, 26 March 2016, at the Gajayana Stadium, Malang
Family, as the smallest community in the society, has an important role in the development of the country, because children were firstly taught about morality, etiquette, and other basic things by their families.
Mothers are the first and the most important educational institution for our children, President Joko Widodo said during the 70th Anniversary of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), on Saturday, 26 March 2016, at the Gajayana Stadium, Malang.
Therefore, in front of thousands of Muslimat NU, the President appreciated their contribution to take care of the family and society with various activities, including social activities, Early Childhood Education Center (PAUD), Koranic Educational Group (TPA), and other anti-drug, anti-radicalism activities.
Thus, it is no exaggeration to say that Muslimat NU has played great roles for the country and the nation, the President said.
Those roles, the President added, have contributed to create healthy, intelligent, and religious children. As well as improving the economy of the family, the President said.
In his remarks, the President mentioned that the world changes rapidly and we will face not only competitions among persons, organizations, cities, and provinces, but also among countries. The current competition is among countries, the President said.
In order to win the competition, the President added, we do not only need intelligence, but also human resources along with the optimism, hard working, and sense of mutual cooperation.
Beside the competition among countries, the President also reminded all about radicalism, terrorism, and drugs which occur around the world. The President who witnessed the declaration of Muslimat NUs Anti-Drugs Troops led by Muslimat NU Leader Khofifah Indar Parawansa, NU Leader for East Java Province Masruroh Wahid, NU Leader for Riau Province Dinawati, NU Leader for South Sulawesi Province Andi Majda, and anti-drugs volunteer Ivan also appreciated a number of measures conducted by Muslimat NU. Alhamdulillah, an Anti-Drugs Troops has been declared by NU to address drugs issues. It was such a fast reaction to face change of era, President Jokowi said.
As a conclusion, the President added, Muslimat NU, as an organization has integrated with Indonesias soul.
As an organization that has a long history of struggle, which is around 70 years, I instruct Muslimat NU to strengthen their commitment and fight for the sake of ummah, nation, and country, the President said.
Therefore, the President called on every national element to unite in materializing a just and prosperous Indonesia. We must unite and make it a reality, the President added.
The President emphasized that Muslimat NU is a bil-hal dakwah (Islamic proselytism), which is a dakwah with concrete work. It is not only bil lisan or verbal dakwah. Through dakwah with concrete work, I believe the number of Majelis Taklim (Islamic study group), educational institutions, social and health institutions, as well as co-operative of Muslimat NU will increase in the future, the President said.
Through dakwah with concrete work, the President added, the vigilance of Muslimat NU will be raised and they will be able to provide filter and imprint religious teachings to the children since their young age. Thus, they will be able to protect themselves from radicalism and drugs which are our common threats, the President said.
The President reminded all that Indonesia is currently having serious drugs problems where 30 to 50 children die every day. Once again, I want to appreciate what Muslimat NUs Anti-Drugs Troops has declared, the President stated.
In the event, the declaration of Muslimat NUs Anti-Drugs Troops was signed by Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Syaifuddin, Minister of Social Affairs as Muslimat NU Leader Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Governor of East Java Soekarwo, NU Leader for East Java Province Masruroh Wahid, NU Leader for Riau Province Dinawati, and NU Leader for South Sulawesi Province Andi Majda. Accompanying the President in the event were the Speaker of People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan and NU Roisam (chairman) Maruf Amin. (TKP)(RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)
