Jokowi Prays for Country with Islamic Clerics, Students in Pekalongan

President Jokowi drops off from presidential aircraft RI-1 wearing a sarong, black fez and slippers.

Pekalongan, Central Java, 10 Rabiul Akhir 1438/09 January 2017 MINA) – President Joko Widodo prayed for the country’s peace and prosperity with Islamic clerics and students at the commemoration of anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) at Sholawat Kanzus Hall in Pekalongan, Central Java, on Sunday.

The prayers event was led by revered cleric Habib Luthfi bin Yahya and attended by hundreds of students of Islamic boarding schools.

In his speech President Joko Widodo, better known by his nickname Jokowi, emphasized the importance of preserving the harmony and unity in the country with regard to the diversity of tribes and cultures.

He said Islam teaches people to preserve unity and cohessiveness as well as respect to diversity of tribes and groups.

“It means we must be grateful for it as God’s blessing and therefore must also preserve it. We are different from other countries. Other countries may possibly have only one ethnic group but we have 700. This must be accepted as a blessing. They will become a powerful strength if we can unite them and therefore we must be grateful fir them,” he said.

President Jokowi was flanked by Minister of Public Housing and Public Work Basuki Hadi Muljono, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Imam Nahrawi, Indonesia Defense Forces commander General Gatot Nurmantyo, Indonesia Police chief General Tito Karnavian and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo.

“I believe and God willing our country with its strength and potential would become a great country that other countries would take into account. However, if we are busy fighting and would not unite and consolidate our potentials we would only become a losing state,” he said.
T/RS05/RS01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)