Let’s Preserve Our Brotherhood, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi visits Al-Ihya Ulumuddin Islamic Boarding School on Tuesday (15/6), in Cilacap, Central Java

On the sideline of his working visit to Cilacap, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo on Tuesday (15/6) visited Al-Ihya Ulumuddin Islamic Boarding School to honor the Cleric Chasbullah Badawi who passed away on Monday, 5 June 2017.

“On behalf of the family, the Government, and myself, I would like to extend my deep condolences at the loss of Romo KH. Chasbullah. I apologize for not being able to come here when he left us,” President Jokowi said to the students.

On that occasion, the President reminded all of the importance to maintain ukhuwah Islamiyah (Islamic brotherhood) and ukhuwah wathoniyah (brotherhood between fellow countrymen) in the life of the nation.

“Let us maintain our brotherhood. The brotherhood, both ukhuwah Islamiyah between the Muslim, and ukhuwah wathoniyah with people of other faiths, must be maintained so that harmony, brotherhood between us can be well-established,” the President said.

President Jokowi also said that Indonesia is a big country consisting of various religions, faiths, ethnics, and races. Therefore, the President called on all people to be grateful for this God’s gift that other countries don’t have.

“Don’t blame, vilifying, and reproach other. We often forgot that we are brother,” the President added.

President Jokowi also encouraged people to maintain diversity to prevent any clash that may tear the nation apart.

“I also ask all to maintain our power, potential, diversity, and bhinneka (Unity in Diversity) as the God’s destiny for Indonesia and keep them united, so that there will be no break and clash,” the President firmly said.

President Jokowi believes that the teaching of Islam obliges Muslims to live in harmony with the fellow countrymen; thus, he said, if we all maintain the harmony, Indonesia will be a prosperous country.

“If we can maintain the unity in our country, the Unitary State of Indonesia, I believe Indonesia can be a prosperous country that we long for,” the President said.

Accompanying President Jokowi during the working visit were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo. (BPMI/DNA/EN) (RA/EP/YM/Naster)