Jokowi Pay Visit to Grave of Gus Dur

TEMPO.CO, Jombang - President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo pays a visit to the grave of former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur in The boarding school (Pondok Pesantren) complex of Tebuireng, Jombang, East Java, Tuesday afternoon, December 18.

Other than visiting Gus Dur’s grave, Jokowi visits the founder of Pondok Pesantren Tebuireng, Hasyim Asy’ari. Jokowi prays there and places flowers to both graves.

During his visit, Jokowi is accompanied by the chairman of Pondok Pesantren Tebuireng Salahuddin Wahid or Gus Sholah and his wife Nyai Farida, National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, Religious Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Agung, East Java Governor Soekarwo, and Presidential spokesperson Johan Budi Sapto Pribowo.

Jokowi, before visiting the graves, have an internal meeting with Gus Sholah and Farida.

“The best umarah [leader] is the one who visits ulema [Islamic scholars]. Today, he [President] visit kiai and ulema of central to regional figures of NU [country’s largest Islamic organization]. I think this meeting during this political period is a really good example,” Soekarwo said.

Jokowi then heads to the inauguration site of Museum Islam Indonesia which is located near the boarding school. The museum is built as a tribute for ulema who contributed for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

Among the ulema was the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Hasyim Asy’ari, Wahid Hasyim, and Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, as well as Wahab Hasbullah, one of NU founders who was named as the national hero. Their graves are placed in the complex of Pondok Pesantren Tambak Beras, Jombang district.