Exemplary Ulama Shape a Nation of Character and Empowered Communities

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar has invited the public to emulate ulama and teachers so that Indonesia becomes a nation with robust character and spirituality, and its communities become increasingly empowered, independent, and prosperous. “May the values inherited from the ulama and teachers continue to be a light for this nation’s journey, strengthening unity and giving birth to communities that are increasingly empowered, independent, and prosperous,” said Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday. He made the remarks while attending the commemoration of the 109th Teachers’ Day and the Day of the Silsilah Thariqah Naqsyabandiyah Al-Khalidiyyah of Prof Saidi Syekh Kadirun Yahya Muhammad Amin Al-Khali at the Pendopo Surau Qutubul Amin in Depok, West Java. According to him, an advanced nation is not only one that is strong economically and technologically, but also one that possesses solid moral, spiritual, and character strength. “This is a great legacy that we must continue to safeguard and develop,” said Muhaimin Iskandar. He stated that the event was a momentum to remember the services of teachers, ulama, and tarekat mursyids who have played a major role in building the spiritual strength of the community while strengthening national unity. “All citizens of the world, and especially our nation’s citizens, should remain steadfast in continuously becoming superior individuals as our fundamental capital to become human beings who are beneficial to other humans, and beneficial to the ummah, the nation, and the state,” said Muhaimin Iskandar. He said that community development cannot rely solely on economic and physical aspects. Sustainable empowerment must be built upon a strong moral and spiritual foundation in order to give rise to communities that are independent, have integrity, and are competitive. Coordinating Minister Muhaimin added that the Thariqah Naqsyabandiyah Al-Khalidiyyah has made an important contribution to the journey of the Indonesian nation. “Through the spiritual education inherited by the ulama and mursyids, the tarekat has become part of the effort to build Indonesian people who have love for religion, nation, and homeland,” he said.