President pays visit to grave of Gus Dur

Jombang, NU Online
Jombang - President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo paid a visit to the grave of former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur in the complex of Pesantren Tebuireng, Jombang, East Java, Tuesday (18/12).

Other than visiting Gus Dur’s grave, Jokowi alo visited the founder of Pesantren Tebuireng, KH Hasyim Asy’ari. Jokowi prayed there and placed flowers to both graves.

During his visit, Jokowi is accompanied by the chairman of Pondok Pesantren Tebuireng KH Salahuddin Wahid or Gus Sholah and his wife Nyai Farida, National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, Religious Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, East Java Governor Soekarwo, and Presidential spokesperson Johan Budi Sapto Pribowo.

Jokowi, before visiting the graves, have an internal meeting with Gus Sholah and Farida.

“The best umara [leader] is the one who visits ulema [Islamic scholars]. Today, he [President] visits NU clerics (kiai) and ulema. I think this meeting during this political period is a really good example,” Soekarwo said.

Jokowi then attended the inauguration site of Museum Islam Indonesia which is located near the pesantren. The museum is built as a tribute for ulema who contributed for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

Among the ulema were the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), KH Hasyim Asy’ari, KH Wahid Hasyim, and KH Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, as well as KH Wahab Hasbullah. (Masdar)