Pesantren expected to produce quality leaders

Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesia's typical educational institutions so-called as Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) are expected to be able to produce graduates potential to become leaders having good quality and national characters.

"Regarding characters and honesty, many leaders have bad characters, and the vice president asks Islamic boarding schools to pay more attention about morals," Chairman of Darunnajah Pondok Pesantren (Islamic Boarding School) Sofwan Manaf told the press at the vice presidential palace, here, Thursday.
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Sofwan and his school`s managers held a meeting with Boediono to report about the upcoming implementation of Indonesia Open Marching Band Championship (IOMBC) which will be organized at Senayan stadium, Jakarta, on Feberuary 18, 2011.

Islamic boarding schools have produced a lot of alumni who have played important role in the national development. Some of the almuni have become legislators, Sofwn said.

Sofwan said IOMBC was also expected to help promote harmony among religion followers, as the event would be participated in by Muslims and non-Muslims as well.

"There are quite a number of non-Muslims participating in the event. The activity is our contribution to promote harmony among people from different religions," he said.

The IOMBC 2011 will consists of seven competitions and its participants will be students from elementary schools up to universities in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. (dar)