PPP Urges All Members to Return to Community Islamic Outreach
Jakarta – The United Development Party (PPP) has encouraged all party members, particularly those in Riau, to return to community Islamic outreach (dakwah keumatan) through Islamic political principles of promoting good and preventing harm (amar ma’ruf nahi munkar), delivering public benefit, and averting harm.
During a Ramadan safari and courtesy visit to Babussalam Islamic Boarding School in Pekanbaru, Riau, on Sunday (1 March), PPP Chairman Muhamad Mardiono stated that the strong character of Riau’s Malay society and its spiritual values underline the importance of PPP cadres maintaining close relationships with religious teachers and Islamic scholars.
“I encourage PPP cadres to return to community Islamic outreach. Party members should not distance themselves from their teachers and scholars,” said Mardiono, as reported from a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
Community Islamic outreach represents a collective effort to disseminate Islamic values, create an Islamic atmosphere, and empower the Muslim community directly (dakwah bil-hal) in social life. This encompasses strengthening faith, enhancing worship, and practising Islamic teachings for social and national improvement, thereby transcending mere practical politics.
Mardiono stated that the Ramadan safari served as an opportunity to strengthen ties whilst reinforcing collaboration between scholars and leaders. As the President’s Special Envoy for Food Security, he also conveyed President Prabowo Subianto’s message regarding various government initiatives currently underway and the importance of addressing global dynamics that are considered unfavourable.
He revealed that his visit to Babussalam Islamic Boarding School was his second. The courtesy visit was also attended by various figures, including bureaucratic officials, former governors, and community leaders from various districts in Riau Province.
“Service to the Muslim community must be continuously maintained. Scholars and leaders must not be separated so that each policy favours the community and people, and is grounded in noble morality,” he said.
Meanwhile, Syekh Ismail Royan, leader of Babussalam Islamic Boarding School, welcomed the PPP Chairman’s visit. He appreciated the ties that had been established for the second time and hoped the relationship would continue.
He regarded the visit as providing fresh understanding to the pesantren community regarding various programmes and central government policies currently being implemented.
Regarding the role of Islamic scholars in supporting PPP politicians in Riau, Syekh Ismail emphasised that scholars have a fundamental obligation to provide support when leaders demonstrate ethical, moral, faithful, and pious conduct. Conversely, he added, scholars also have a duty to remind when deviations occur to ensure alignment with religious and national values.
“Our expectation going forward is that this relationship becomes even stronger and more comprehensible. We also hope that PPP can continue to carry out the Muslim community’s mandate with excellence,” said Ismail.