Islamic Boarding Schools Are Main Driver for Nation Character Building: President Jokowi

President Jokowi answers questions from journalists after attending 2018 Burung Berkicau Piala Presiden Jokowi Festival and Exhibition at Bogor Botanical Garden, Sunday (11/3). (Photo by: Bureau of Press and Media)

Islamic boarding schools are the main driver for nation character building, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

The President made the statement during the 2018 Burung Berkicau Piala Presiden Festival and Exhibition at Bogor Botanical Garden, Sunday (11/3).

“Matters related to deeds, behaviors, attitudes, ethics, values and norms are present and built at Islamic boarding schools,” the President said.

President Jokowi added that Islamic schools do need attention from the Government, especially in terms of facilities. He added that Islamic boarding schools that already have business communities also must be developed.

“Every time I visit the regions, I always visit one or three boarding schools to oversee the problems firsthand, including problems conveyed by clerics and caretakers of the schools. It further enriches our understanding about problems at Islamic boarding schools,” the President said.

For the record, President Jokowi always makes time to visit Islamic boarding schools during working visits. On the sidelines of his working to East Java province on 8 – March 2018, the President visited three Islamic boarding schools and met with ulemas.  On Thursday (8/3), the President visited Mambaus Sholihin Islamic boarding school in Gresik, East Java.  The President was welcomed by Chairman of Mambaus Sholihin Islamic Boarding School KH. Masbuchin Faqih. In the afternoon the President visited Langitan Islamic Boarding School in Tuban Regency, East Java, while on Friday (9/3) President Jokowi visited Assalafi Al Fithrah Islamic Boarding School in Surabaya, East Java where the President launched a micro wakaf bank.

In the meantime, on the sidelines of his working visit to Cirebon Regency recently, the President also visited Ma’had Al-Ghadier Islamic Boarding School in Gempol District, Cirebon Regency for silaturahmi (gathering).

Joining the President during  the visit were Minister of Religious Affairs Hakim Saifuddin, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) Sofyan Djalil, Coordinator of Presidential Special Staff Teten Masduki, Chief of Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Presidential Military Secretary Air Vice MarshallTrisno Hendradi, Commander of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) Major General Suhartono, and Presidential Special Staff Diaz Hendropriyono. (BPMI/EN) (EP/YM/Naster)