Speaking to kyai (religious preachers), ulama (Ulema), and santri (Islamic students) at the Darul `Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Jombang , East Java, the president said it was far away, similar to flying from London to Istanbul through seven countries, hinting that Indonesia is a big country.
While attending the Haul Syekh Abdul Qodir Jaelani Memorial and Gathering of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Darul Islamic Boarding School caregivers `Ulum in Jombang Peterongan, East Java, Tuesday, he said the long travel from Aceh to Wamena was only to give a picture of how vast the country is and it needed to be maintained.
He said flying for more than nine hours shows that Indonesia is quite a big nation, and he also questioned the number of years the trip would take on foot.
The president said that the nation`s size is a gift that must be maintained.
"Hence, I invite all to maintain our unity and harmony," he stated.
Present on that occasion were kiai, ulama, and santri as well as pilgrims who were not only from the Darul `Ulum Islamic Boarding School located at Jalan Rejeso Number 1 Peterongan Jombang.
They enthusiastically waited for the president to arrive since morning. The president finally arrived in Jombang at 10:45 a.m. WIB after traveling overland from Sidoarjo.
The president was greeted with prayer, and the audience immediately stood up to get a close glimpse of the president once he arrived.
The president also interacted with two people regarding diversity in Indonesia.
At the start of his remarks, the president claimed to be happy to stay in touch with all boarding school personnel, who were pioneered first by KH. Tamim Ershad in 1885.
"Alhamdulillah, this afternoon, I was very happy to be able to stay in touch with all of you, in the afternoon this day, and I saw that his mothers were brightly cheerful. Thank God. All healthy, bro, healthy and sedentary? Alhamdulillah. Also you are as healthy as you are? Thank God, healthy and happy," the president, who was greeted by a thunderous audience, stated.
On the occasion, he wanted to remind that Indonesia is a big country.
"Indonesia is a country, with the largest Muslim population in the world. I continue to say this during international conferences in any country, as many do not know that Indonesia is a country, with the largest Muslim population in the world. Many people do not know," he stated.
Other attendees apart from the president comprised East Java Governor Soekarwo, Deputy Speaker of MPR Muhaimin Iskandar, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Religion Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Head of Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Military Secretary President Marsda TNI Trisno Hendradi, Presidential Special Staff Johan Budi, and Deputy Commander of Paspampres Marsma TNI Deny Muis.
Reporting by Hanni Sofia
Editing by Eliswan, Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
