"Mr Jokowi has been performing the Hajj in 2003, long before becoming president. Mr. Jokowi has also had four Umrah services," Sri Yunanto said in a discussion and book review on "Islamic Jokowi" in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Present as the discussers of the discussion and book review were the former Deputy Coordination of Domestic Politics at the Ministry of Politics and Security, Major General TNI (Ret.) Adnrie Tardiwan Utama, Deputy Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama Da`wah Institution KH Agus Salim, and Deputy Chair of LDNU KH Wahid Nuruddin.
According to Sri Yunanto, he was intrigued to examine who Joko Widodo was and then document it in the form of a book, after examining quite a number of attacks that cornered Jokowi with negative stigmatizing statements. "Therefore, I conducted research on Jokowi`s figures, both qualitatively and quantitatively, through literature studies, as well as looking for testimonials to people who knew Jokowi," he said.
In conclusion, he said, Jokowi was born into a Muslim family, likes to build relationships, and has a high concern for Muslim communities.
According to Yunanto, the testimony from Jokowi`s religion teacher in elementary school (SD) stated that Jokowi was a devout Muslim and was always active in attending classes in Islamic studies. "High school friends and Jokowi`s lectures in his testimony also mentioned, Jokowi is a devout Muslim," he said.
The Expert Staff of the Coordinating Minister for Politic, Legal and Security (Pulhukam) added, Jokowi after becoming president, had built many relationships with Islamic institutions and Muslim communities, both domestically and abroad. "Therefore, it is only natural that Jokowi was then awarded and included in the 500 Muslim leaders of the world," he said.
Meanwhile, KH Agus Salim added, for the Nadliyin people, Jokowi`s Islam was over. "That is to say, Jokowi`s Islam has no doubt about it," he said.
"Mr Jokowi chose a vice presidential candidate from an Islamic leader to show himself a Muslim who is very concerned about the progress of Islam and the unity of the people," he said.
Agus Salim gave an example, the Executive Board of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) had long proposed that October 22 was designated as the Santri Day. "The president did not do it before, but President Jokowi dared to decide," he said.
Reporting by Riza Harahap
Editing by Eliswan
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
