Ibas Highlights Historic and Strategic Role of Islamic Boarding Schools for the Nation
Deputy Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas) attended an iftar gathering with religious leaders, pesantren heads, students, and the community at Pondok Pesantren Tarbiyatul Ulum Sumursongo, Magetan Regency. The event was part of his 2026 parliamentary recess programme.
In the spirit of Ramadan fellowship, Ibas emphasised that the holy month is not merely an opportunity for personal worship, but a social force for strengthening unity and promoting positive change within society.
“Strong faith gives rise to character. Strong character gives rise to civilisation. When the heart is guarded, the nation is guarded,” he stated in a written statement on Saturday (28 February 2026).
He said that pesantren possess both a historic and strategic role for the nation, serving not only as centres of religious education but also as institutions for moral formation, leadership development, and social service.
“Islamic boarding schools are not merely places of learning, but also part of the history of our nation’s struggle that has long been a driving force for Indonesia’s independence and development,” he said.
Ibas believes that pesantren students represent a future generation with significant potential to contribute across various fields of national development.
“I am confident that today’s students are the nation’s future generation who will eventually excel in various fields and dedicate themselves to the nation and state,” he stated.
According to him, Indonesia’s progress can only be achieved through the collective effort of all elements of society, including the pesantren community as the moral foundation of society.
“This state cannot be built by one group alone. We must work together and join hands to ensure that the nation’s progress is truly realised,” he explained.
On this occasion, Ibas also highlighted the strengthening of pesantren’s role through Law No. 18 of 2019 on Pesantren, which affirms the function of pesantren as institutions of education, Islamic preaching, and community empowerment.
“This law is the state’s recognition of the significant role of pesantren in producing knowledgeable generations, maintaining the morality of the Islamic community, and fostering economic independence,” he explained.
With tens of thousands of pesantren and millions of students across the nation, Ibas regards pesantren as social capital that must be strengthened through budget support, improvement of human resources, and collaboration between government and society. He also urged students to continue developing their capacities and daring to harbour great ambitions.
“This nation does not only need intelligent people. This nation needs good people. Self-reliant students are the pillars of the nation. An empowered people is the breath of progress,” he said.
As tangible support, Ibas presented assistance consisting of ten copies of the Qur’an for female students, ten copies of the Qur’an for male students, items of worship including prayer mats and headscarves, and one computer unit to support teaching and learning activities.
Concluding his remarks, Ibas invited all elements of the pesantren community to make Ramadan a momentum for strengthening Islamic brotherhood, spreading values of peace, and building a more advanced and just Indonesia.
“Ramadan fortifies religion, strengthens the nation. Self-reliant students, empowered people, advanced Indonesia,” he concluded.
The event closed with communal prayer and iftar proceedings that unfolded warmly, reflecting the strong synergy between scholars, government, and society in preserving unity and building the nation’s future.