REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo held a meeting with Islamic leaders and clerics from Islamic boarding schools in Banten and West Java provinces at the State Palace here on Thursday in the wake of the recent huge rallies by Islamic organizations.
The president had earlier met with leaders of the country's main Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, in an effort to consolidate the political situation in the country after the huge protest last Friday over allegations of blasphemy against Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.
"I believe clerics are pillars of the Unitary State of Indonesia (NKRI). Indonesia has come about partly because of the struggles of the religious leaders, clerics, habaibs (Prophet Muhammad's descendants), Islamic teachers and students including Kyai (cleric) As'ad Syamsul Arifin who was named a national hero yesterday," he stated before the Islamic leaders and clerics from Banten and West Java.
He expressed his gratitude for the efforts undertaken by Islamic leaders and clerics to reduce tensions. It helped in ensuring that conditions remained conducive and peaceful in a number of regions during the demonstration on November 4, 2016. "I wish to express my thanks because, according to the information I have received, you have helped reduce the tensions and as a result, the situation in the regions remained conducive and peaceful," he added.
President Jokowi, as he is also called, admitted that he needed support, advice as well as guidance from clerics to preserve the country's unity in the midst of diversities.
He stressed that he believed the community also shared in this view. "It is the considered advice and guidance that not only the government but also the people are always in need of," he commented.
As the meeting began, President Jokowi expressed his readiness to receive any inputs regarding the government's policies, be they about the current case of alleged blasphemy or any other issue. "Once again, I ask for your advice and inputs in the best interest of us all," he observed.
Around 78 clerics and religious leaders attended the meeting. On this occasion, President Jokowi was flanked by Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, minister/state secretary Pratikno and presidential spokesman, Johan Budi.
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