Speaking on Monday in front of thousands of santri attending the 2018 National Santri Day celebration in Simpang Lima Square in Semarang, Central Java, Ganjar said the students could serve as pioneers of peace.

“Be there to fight against hoaxes, hate speech and those who undermine this nation. Let’s fight against them. This is a form of jihad,” Ganjar said.

Ganjar is a politician from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). His message was in line with the President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo administration's efforts to combat hoaxes, many of which have targeted the President himself.

He also reminded students of their role in defending and developing Indonesia, urging them to continue the mission of ulema and clerics of the past to build a better country.

Reading out remarks from Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim, he called on santri to strengthen Islam and the nation by contributing to the country in any way they can.

Thousands of santri from across Central Java attended the ceremony, which was also joined by Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono, Military Region IV Diponegoro commander Maj. Gen. Wuryanto, provincial administration secretary Sri Puryono and Semarang Deputy Mayor Hevearita G Rahayu. (swa)

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