Strengthen National Solidarity for People’s Sovereignty, President Jokowi Tells NU

President Jokowi plays angklung to mark the opening of the National Ulema Council and the 2nd General Conference of Nadhlatul Ulama (Photo by: Oji/PR).

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo on Wednesday (27/2) expressed his gratitude to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) – Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization – for the role it has played in maintaining and protecting Indonesia’s sovereignty.

“History has proven that Nadhlatul Ulama is always at the vanguard for the nation,” President Jokowi said when opening the National Ulema Council and the 2^nd General Conference of Nadhlatul Ulama held under the theme “Strengthening the Ukhuwah Wathaniyah (national solidarity) for People’s Sovereignty”, at Miftahul Huda Al Azhar Islamic Boarding School in Citangkolo, Banjar City, West Java.

In the event attended by the leaders of the NU autonomous organizations, President Jokowi called on all participants to maintain harmony regardless of differences in political choice. “I invite all of us to maintain our solidarity, just like the theme of this event,” the President said.

On the occasion, President Jokowi also reminded the NU members not to be pessimistic on the Industrial Revolution 4.0. “We must be optimistic that our human capital is able to compete with other countries,” he added.

Furthermore, the Government will construct 1,000 Community Training Centers (BLK) in Islamic boarding schools this year. “We must immediately carry out the project as a big strategy for the development of our human capital,” President Jokowi said.

Also attending the event were, among others, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Chairperson of NU K.H. Said Aqil Siraj, and Head of Al Azhar Miftahul Huda Islamic Boarding School K.H Munawir Abdulrohim. (AGG/OJI/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Muhardi/Yuyu Mulyani