Ibas Emphasises Strategic Role of Islamic Boarding Schools in Nation-Building
Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Chairman of the Democratic Party Faction in the House of Representatives, Eddie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas/EBY), continued his 2026 recess schedule by attending a breaking-of-fast event at Pondok Pesantren Syarifatul Ulum. In his remarks, Ibas emphasised that Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) play a strategic role in nation-building.
“I am not here merely to break the fast together. I want to emphasise one message: pesantren are the pillars of our nation,” said Ibas in a statement on Friday (27 February 2026).
During his visit on Thursday (26 February), Ibas stressed that a nation’s strength is not determined solely by technology and economics, but also by morality and character.
“Knowledge without character is darkness; character without knowledge is weakness. Both must go together,” he said, quoting a statement.
Ibas also recalled that the role of pesantren has been enshrined in Law No. 18 of 2019 on Pesantren, which recognises them as institutions of education, religious outreach, and community empowerment. He noted that the constitutional mandate in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution to “enlighten the nation’s life” has long been fulfilled by pesantren, even before Indonesia’s independence.
As the breaking-of-fast time approached, the event included a Ramadan religious discourse conveying reflective messages about the meaning of worship and character in daily life. The sermon emphasised that the path to paradise is not easy, as it requires patience and generosity of spirit. The faithful were encouraged to continue treating others well even when others have treated them poorly, and to maintain family ties even when relationships have been severed by others.
This message served as an important reminder during Ramadan for each person to strengthen sincerity, maintain brotherhood, and foster values of compassion in community life. Ibas’s presence among the people of Ngawi was seen as a tangible expression of effort to strengthen ties and reinforce relations between the people’s representatives and the community.
Ibas’s genuine commitment to attending directly, listening to residents’ aspirations, and advocating for the hopes of Ngawi’s people received appreciation from pesantren leaders and attendees. This moment of togetherness was viewed not merely as a ceremonial agenda but as a dialogue space that strengthens the bond between leaders and the people.
National data shows that the number of pesantren in Indonesia has now reached over 39,000, with millions of students.
“This is great strength. This is the moral energy of our nation. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders,” he asserted.
During the Ramadan season, Ibas encouraged the students to make fasting a means of strengthening discipline, improving the heart, and boosting achievement.
“If knowledge is strong, character is maintained, and achievement grows, then the nation will be strong. Ramadan strengthens religion and strengthens the nation,” he concluded.
Ibas hopes that Pondok Pesantren Syarifatul Ulum will continue producing generations that are knowledgeable, virtuous, and accomplished for the nation and state. During the event, he also presented awards to high-achieving students and provided computer donations.
High-achieving students from Pondok Syarifatul ’Ulum include:
Azuan Maulana Fadillah (2nd Place, 100m Sprint, Ngawi District Porseni)
Vanya Rengganis Harta Mavilla (Memorised 1,002 classical Islamic poetry verses)
From Pondok Al Futuhiyah:
Muallima Nurul Latifah (1st Place, Physics, Ngawi District KSM)
Fitri Nur Rohmah (2nd Place, Calligraphy, Ngawi District Porseni)
From Pondok Roudhotul Muta’allimin:
Muhammad Akbar Adi Susilo (Memorised Imriti)
Enjie Maharani Nusantara (Memorised Juz 30 and selected surahs)
The event was attended by various figures, including Agus M Noval Al Haidar as Chairman of the Pondok Syarifatul Ulum Foundation, Ibu Nyai Dra. Siti Zubaidah as Guardian of Pondok Syarifatul Ulum, Yai Anwar Solihin as Guardian of Pondok Al Futuhiyah, Agus Zein Zuhri Soleh as Guardian of Pondok Roudhlotul Muta’alimin, Sehmanto as Head of Katerban Village, Agus M Ulul Albab, Agus Habib Junaidi, as well as various Islamic scholars, elders, and other attendees.