Pesantern (Islamic boarding schools) including their religious assemblies are a medium to develop national character, according to Chief of Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Moeldoko.

“Pesantren and religious assemblies like this will help nurture national character because from here, advanced human resources will be born,” Moeldoko stated while attending the dzikir (chanting of prayers to remember Allah) assembly organised at Al-Baghdadi Pesantren in Karawang, West Java, Saturday.

Moeldoko, who was accompanied by KSP chief expert staff Rumadi Akhmad, was welcomed by the leader of Al-Baghdadi Pesantren, Junaedi Al-Baghdadi, and thousands of residents who thronged the assembly.

He said that the national character can be developed by nurturing good habits that will be greatly influenced by a person’s family, school, society, and environment.

“If I was not nurtured at mosques, maybe I would have not become a general now,” Moeldoko remarked.

“There I was trained, taught discipline, how to read the Quran, and how to share with others, and all of (the positive aspects) have continued until now,” he added.

At the same assembly,he highlighted President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi’s) achievements in several aspects, such as infrastructure development, COVID-19 pandemic handling, and the national economic recovery.

“President Jokowi dreams that Indonesia will be (an) advanced (country) in 2045. Let us together fulfil the president’s dream,” Moeldoko stated.

Meanwhile, Al-Baghdadi expressed hope that Moeldoko’s presence would benefit the assembly and the nation.

“We hope that his presence will be a blessing for Indonesia,” Al-Baghdadi, who is affectionately known as Abah Junaedi, stated, which was responded by thousands of attendants’ “Aamiin” to affirm his remarks.

Source: Antara News