TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi invited 100 ulema representatives from West Java to the presidential palace to have a dialogue regarding false news or hoax until society economy.

“We discuss anything about society, such as Islamic boarding school (Pondok Pesantren), economy, waqf-based micro bank,” said Jokowi after the meeting in Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday, April 3.

Jokowi added, they had talked about the boarding school area which needs the government’s help. For instance, the dormitory, a place for wudhu, and the road around the school.

“But the most important is when the ulema and the government (umara) going hand in hand, insya Allah (by God’s will) this country will be blessed,” said the president.

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The West Java Indonesian Ulema Council Chairman Rachmat Syafei as the leader of the representatives said the meeting initially aimed as a togetherness of the president and the Muslim clerics.

In the meeting, Jokowi suggested the ulama resist hoax news which disturbs the peace among the society. “Ulema has a mandatory to remind the society that the false news is really deceptive,” he said.

Furthermore, Rachmat said, the ulema asked the government to strengthen the economy in the Islamic boarding school area and to give more concern to its material needs.

“The society, especially in West Java, the ulama and Qur’an teachers are needed the government’s attention. That’s it,” Rachmat said.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI