Kiai Ma'ruf calls on pesantren cirlces to take part in nation's life

Tasikmalaya, NU Online
The NU charismatic cleric KH Ma'ruf Amin emphasized that Islamic baording schools (pesantren) including so-called santri students of pesantren are always taken into account by the state. Therefore, they must play a role in the life of the nation and state.

"Santri must realize they have a role, as they are valued and taken into account by the state," Kiai Ma'ruf remarked after attending the National Santri Day ceremony in Tasikmalaya, West Java, recently.

He stressed that the commemoration of National Santri Day offers a spirit of enthusiasm to the students to defend the Republic of Indonesia. "We want to provide a kind of stimulus to the spirit of the students. This means that the santri must have the spirit to serve the nation and country," he explained.

Kiai Ma'ruf was of the opinion that pesantren's role was not only in driving out the invaders but also encouraging development, eliminating poverty, and building prosperity.

"I think that santri must take on roles in all aspects," he was quoted by republika.co.id as saying.

He stressed that students must prepare themselves to take on greater and more significant roles for the nation and state. Hence, students must be ready to serve.

"Santri must have enthusiasm in addition to the required ability and competence," Kiai Ma'ruf emphasized.

Several prominent figures present during the National Santri Day apple program in Tasikmalaya were Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security Wiranto as the ceremony inspector, NU General Chairman KH Said Aqil Siradj, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, National Awakening Party Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, and West Java Police Chief Inspector General Agung Budi Marwoto.

In addition to attending the 2018 Santri Day commemoration and Halaqah Alim-Ulama, Ma'ruf also visited the Careers of Islamic Boarding Schools in West Java. (Masdar)