Jepara, NU Online
Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) as the nation's oldest educational institutions have formerly been regarded as 'second' class educational ones for just educating students to know more about religious subjectmatters, including Islamic jurisprudence, prayers and so on. However, those graduating from pesantren could now be the national prospective leaders.<>

The advisory board of the Nahdlatul Ulama Scholars Association (ISNU) Mahfud MD made the remarks on the sidelines of a religious gathering at Pesantren Hadziqiyah, Gemiring Lor village, Nalunsari busdistrict, Jepara over the weekend (30/6).

The Former Constitutional Court chief justice said there had been many pesantren graduates being the government officials such as Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Alwi Shihab, Muhaimin Iskandar and so on.

According to the 56-year-old man the pesantren graduates have the same opportunities as other students studying at formal educational institutions as mandated at the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution, namely In order to achieve the objective of enlightening the life of nation.

"Pesantren are really appropriate to help enlighten the nation because what is enlightened is not only their brain but also their character." he told thousands of attendees inundating the pesantren complex.

The man earning doctor degree from the Yogyakarta's Gajah Mada University called on all pesantren gaduates not to get discouraged, saying they could achieve what they want because of their adequate knowledge.

Mahfudz also called for the importance of the pesantren individuals to work hard, be patient and have a strong faith.

"Presantren graduates should be steadfast and strongly motivated to materialize their ideals," he added.

"People will not succeed without dealing with challenges. And they are not going to get a respectable position if before doing they already feel scared, "he said.

Reporting by Syaiful Mustaqim; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq