The Head of State was accompanied by Minister/State Secretary Pratikno during the visit.
On the previous day, Jokowi met leaders of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization at its headquarters here on Monday following Fridays massive and peaceful rally attended by hundreds of thousands of individual Muslims as well as members of Islamic organizations in the capital city.
"I wished to express my appreciation to all NU board members, including those in regions, for making soothing statements that helped ensure that the demonstration on November 4 passed off peacefully by sunset," he said after the meeting the NU leaders.
The president stressed that the government and the PBNU can accomplish many things to serve public interest, boost the economy and prevent radicalism.
"I thank the NU which acts as a key pillar of our Unitary State of Indonesia, Pancasila (state ideology), and for its values of pluralism when it comes to issues of tolerance and national unity," he noted.
The meeting was attended by NUs General Chairman, Said Aqil Siradj; Secretary General, Helmy Faishal; and Advisory Boards Chairman, Maruf Amin.
Jokowi disclosed that he also wished to meet the leaders of Muhammadiyah, another major Islamic organization in the country.
Said Aqil Siradj appreciated the demonstrators for underscoring the importance of civil democracy and a genuine desire to remind officials about ethics.
He stressed that leaders must not utter dirty and controversial words that could cause divisions in the country.
"Now it is time for us to strengthen our Islamic brotherhood and our fraternal ties with the government and among all human beings," he urged.
NUs associate chairman Marsudi appealed to the people to wait for the results of the legal process in the alleged case of blasphemy committed by Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).
"Please be calm and wait for the process to be over," he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
