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Power of Indonesia lies in unity: Muslim scholar
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Close ties -- Ulema Habib Muhammad Luthfi bin Yahya (right) welcomes President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (left) who just arrives to attend the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, or Maulid Nabi, in Pekalongan, Central Java, on Sunday. (JP/Suherdjoko)
H
abib Muhammad Luthfi bin Yahya, a notable ulema from Pekalongan, Central Java, says the key power of Indonesia lies in the unity of its people.
He was speaking during an event to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, or Maulid Nabi, in attendance of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Cabinet ministers at the Kanzuz Sholawat Building in Pekalongan on Sunday.
Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, Army chief of staff Gen. Mulyono, 4th Regional Military Command (Kodam IV) Diponegoro commander Maj. Gen. Jaswandi and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo were also present.
“Here, all ulemas, the President, the TNI commander, the National Police chief, the Army chief of staff, and other police and military leaders are sitting together. Ulemas cannot be separated from TNI and the police. This is a symbol of unity that cannot be disputed,” said Habib.
(Read also: Diversity ‘source of power’ in Indonesia: Jokowi)
Thousands of Muslims from Pekalongan and its surrounding areas had packed the Kanzus Sholawat Building early Sunday. The event started after President Jokowi and his entourage arrived at the location at around noon. In the opening ceremony, all participants sang the national anthem “Indonesia Raya”, which was followed by the reading out of the state ideology, Pancasila. There were red-and-white banners emblazoned with the message “NKRI Harga Mati” (The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is Undisputed).
After the event, President Jokowi said he felt a strong culture of tolerance in Pekalongan. “As you’ve seen, we sang Indonesia Raya and read out Pancasila before the event started. This is Indonesia’s Islam that we want to uphold,” he said.
“We should show our unity and harmony. These will become the motor [of our life]. It’s really important to convey values of good manners, polite behavior and good character.” (ebf)
