PSI's Ramadan Safari in Banten: Don't Turn Religious Leaders and Islamic Boarding Schools into Political Tools

PANDEGLANG, Kompas.com - The General Chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Kaesang Pangarep, the Daily Chairman of PSI, Ahmad Ali, and their team conducted a 2026 Ramadan Safari to Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in Pandeglang, Banten.

As observed by Kompas.com on Thursday (26/2/2026), Kaesang and his entourage first visited the residence of the founder of the Roudotup Ulum Cidahu Islamic Boarding School, Abuya Muhtadi Dimyathi.

Kaesang and Ali were seen asking Abuya Muhtadi to pray for PSI.

“I’m Kaesang. Earlier during the journey, my father (Jokowi) called, sending his greetings. We asked for advice and input,” said Kaesang.

Ali applied the perfume to Abuya Muhtadi’s hands. Kaesang then joked that the perfume Ali bought had too much of an old-fashioned scent.

“I’m young,” said Kaesang, laughing with Ali and Abuya Muhtadi.

Next, Kaesang and the PSI team continued their Ramadan Safari to the Menes Islamic Boarding School in Pandeglang.

According to Ali, the purpose of PSI’s Ramadan Safari to several Islamic boarding schools is not for electoral purposes, but rather to strengthen ties and provide learning opportunities for party members.

He cited Kaesang’s interaction with the students, where the youngest son of Jokowi gave quizzes and prizes to the students while waiting for the time to break their fast.

Therefore, Ali emphasized that Ramadan is the best time for PSI to get closer to the pesantren community as a place for moral and cultural education.

“For PSI, this is an important moment to bring the party closer and see firsthand the life of Islamic boarding schools. I always tell our members to use pesantren as a place to learn,” said Ali.

Ali reminded PSI members to use religious leaders and kiai (Islamic scholars) as references when facing religious and cultural issues, especially when feeling tired from political activities.

However, he made it clear that pesantren should not be used as a political tool.