TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) attended the commemoration of "Santri" (traditional Islamic boarding school students) Day at Wisma Antara building, Central Jakarta, on Friday (Oct. 21).
The event was organized by "Relawan Nusantara" (RelaNU) in collaboration with members of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization.
In his speech, Basuki or Ahok as he is also called, pledged to extend education related assistance through the Jakarta Smart Card scheme to students at various Islamic boarding schools in the capital city.
"I have received a lot of inputs from friends. We have found there are a lot of economically-weak students in boarding schools known locally as "pesantren" who are in need of assistance," he pointed out.
He observed that not all people wished to become businessmen or scientists and some do want to propagate religion as a calling.
"In view of that, I wish to extend scholarships to santris in Jakarta desirous of pursuing further studies in universities. We live in a culture of pluralism and must help each other," he stressed.
Ahok hoped to be able to build Jakarta together with the santris so that it becomes developed enough like any other city in the world.
"I wish we could build Jakarta together. It would be a pity if Jakarta lags behind just because of gubernatorial competition. We must learn to honor each other," he commented.
The event was attended by a member of the advisory board of the executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama, KH Ahmad Ishomuddin, deputy general chairman of the Indonesian Mosques Council KH Masdar Farid Masudi and NU figure Effendi Choirie.
Jakarta people will elect a new governor and vice governor in February in 2017. Incumbent Ahok is also contesting with Djarot Saiful Hidayat, currently the vice governor, as his running mate.
The duo compete against Agus Yudhoyono, the son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his running mate former Jakarta deputy governor, Sylviana Murni. Also, former education minister Anies Baswedan and his running mate businessman Sandiaga Uno are in the fray.
ANTARA
