President Jokowi: Buya Syafii Maarif is a Teacher of the Nation

President Jokowi expresses his condolence on the passing of the late Buya Syafii Maarif at Gedhe Kauman Mosque, Yogyakarta, on Friday (05/27). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stated that the figure of Buya Syafii Maarif is a teacher of the nation who lived a humble life. President Jokowi said it after he expressed his condolence on the passing of the late Buya Syafii Maarif at Gedhe Kauman Mosque, Yogyakarta, on Friday (05/27).

“The deceased is the best cadre of Muhammadiyah organization who always gave his voice to diversity and tolerance among people of religions, and he kept mentioning the importance of “Pancasila” (the state ideology) to bring unity to the nation,” the President remarked when paying the last respect to the late Buya Syafii Maarif in the funeral procession.

President Jokowi called on Indonesian people to pray for the late Buya Syafii Maarif and pray that Allah grants him the best place.

“We belong to God and only to Him that we will return. Together, let us pray for the late Buya Syafii Maarif, and may Allah grant him the best place and forgive all his sins. Allah, please accept our prayers,” President Jokowi said.

After arriving at the location at 15.05 Western Indonesian Time, President Jokowi performed Asr prayer together. Afterwards, President Jokowi performed the Islamic funeral prayer led by Chairman of Muhammadiyah organization Haedar Nashir. President Jokowi also followed the funeral procession to pay the last respect to the late Buya Syafii Maarif.

After the procession, President Jokowi bid farewell to the wife of the late Buya Syafii Maarif, and then joined the people to witness the body of the late Buya Syafii Maarif was carried from the mosque into the car. Then, President Jokowi and the entourage headed towards Adi Sutjipto Indonesian Military Air Base to take off to Jakarta.

Also accompanying President Jokowi at the occasion were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno and Governor of Yogyakarta Special Region Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (AW/HD)