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resident Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo called on all santri (Islamic students) to play a role in promoting the values of pluralism and nationalism during the maiden celebration of National Santri Day on Thursday, saying the day would adopt a spirit of maintaining diversity.

'€œBelieve that our diversity as a nation '€” whether it is in ethnic groups, religions or culture '€” embraces the values of mutual respect and tolerance, as well as the spirit of maintaining brotherhood among all citizens,'€ Jokowi said in a speech during the celebration at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque, in Central Jakarta when he declared Oct. 22 as National Santri Day.

The day commemorates the declaration of the Jihad Resolution by Muslim cleric Muhammad Hasyim Asy'€™ari on Oct. 22, 1945, when he encouraged Muslims in the country to fight to uphold the nation'€™s independence.

Hasyim was the founder of the country'€™s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama.

The event was attended by hundreds of santri and students of madrassah, Islamic schools, from across the island of Java, as well as Muslim figures and representatives of several Muslim mass organizations.

The President later urged the santri to '€œalways remember the importance of maintaining our bhinneka [diversity] to ensure the country'€™s unity. With such spirit, we will be more optimistic in facing all challenges ahead of us'€.

He also hoped that the santri could play a role in improving people'€™s welfare and social justice, as well as participating in the country'€™s development agenda.

Jokowi also reminded them to learn from what the santri achieved in 1945 when they played a role in uniting all elements of the country in the struggle for independence. '€œIt was the spirit of nationalism, patriotism and a willingness to sacrifice for the nation,'€ he said.

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said in his speech during the ceremony that the commemoration should be seen '€œas an effort to strengthen the roles of all elements of the country'€ in creating a better future for all.

'€œIn terms of today'€™s situation, such a holy war means a fight against ignorance, corruption, anarchism, economic inequality and other things that hamper Indonesia'€™s development,'€ he said.

The declaration of National Santri Day, Lukman said, not only showed the government'€™s appreciation for the services of the santri in the past, but also aimed to serve as the government'€™s commitment to improving the dignity and the wellbeing of the santri.

'€œThe government is now altering the role of the santri from merely a passive political commodity to an active driving force in Indonesia'€™s development,'€ he added, saying that the government was now seeking ways to ensure the santri and those graduating from madrassahs had better opportunities to compete globally.

According to Lukman, his office has started to engage in cooperation with Bank Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) to ensure government programs and education and human resources facilities make room for the involvement of Islamic schools.

Muhammadiyah, the country'€™s second-largest Islamic organization, and Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Din Syamsuddin are reportedly opposed to the commemoration, arguing that the declaration could spark controversy among Muslims and jeopardize rather than promote the country'€™s multicultural roots.