VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) KH Chorul Sholeh Rasyid supports President Joko Widodo being named the Father of Indonesian Santri. This is because President Jokowi has designated Santri Day as a national day on October 22, 2015.

"I think it's a very good proposal, I agree," said Kyai Sholeh Rasyid, Saturday (10/22/2022).

In fact, Kiai Sholeh Rasyid emphasized that the proposal of President Jokowi as the Father of Indonesian Santri is very rational. If you refer to the long history of establishing Santri Day as a national holiday.

The Indonesian government and society in general commemorate National Santri Day every year, on October 22 to be exact. The determination of National Santri Day was carried out by President Jokowi through Presidential Decree (Kepres) No. 22 of 2015 concerning Santri Day.

Kyai Sholeh Rasyid explained, in addition to establishing the National Santri Day, the government also allocates a budget. Namely in improving the quality of pesantren, students, and teachers.

Therefore, according to him, Indonesian Islamic boarding schools are now starting to develop rapidly. Where, the pesantren management system has begun to be modern, especially since there is already a directorate of Islamic boarding schools at the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia.

"This is also only a few months, these students are the next generation, filling the future of Indonesia," he said. "Indonesian civilization that has an inclusive Islamic perspective."

He ensured that all pesantren were taught about religious education that was expert in 'sunnah wal congregation'. They are given an understanding of Islam that is inclusive, and open, as is the understanding of the birth of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Islam is open, so Islam is a mercy for all nations," he said. "Islam that is rahmatan lilal'alamin."

Previously, the Chairman of the Central Jakarta PCNU, Gus Syaifuddin, proposed that President Jokowi be named the Father of Indonesian Santri. Because the President is considered meritorious by making policies that favor the world of education and religion in Indonesia.

Through this policy, decisions were made in favor of students and Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia. This was said by Gus Syaifuddin in the commemoration of the 2022 Santri Day at the Acacia Hotel, Jakarta, Friday (21/10/2022).

"President Joko Widodo has decided October 22 as Santri Day was issued in October 2015 ago," he said. "It is very wise and fitting if we propose Mr. Jokowi as the Father of Indonesian Santri." (RRI)