Santri Could Become Leaders of the Future

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The head of the Jakarta Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU), KH Samsul Ma’arif, said santri had the potential to become leaders in the future, at both regional and national levels.

“I am confident that, 20 years from now, these santri will become leaders,” Samsul said at a National Santri Day commemoration ceremony in Jakarta on Thursday.

He also stressed the importance of building lasting collaboration among santri, ulama and the government.

“Especially in making Jakarta a global city that remains firmly committed to religious values and the guidance of ulama,” Samsul said.

Meanwhile, the head of the North Jakarta branch of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU), KH Agus Muslim, said the 2026 National Santri Day commemoration was a reminder that the struggle of santri did not end in the history books.

He said that spirit should be carried forward through learning, good conduct, care for others and practical work that benefits the wider community.

“With a spirit of devotion to religion, the nation and the state, santri are an important part of the journey towards a Golden Indonesia,” Agus said.

Earlier, thousands of santri attended the National Santri Day commemoration ceremony at the North Jakarta Mayor’s Office on Thursday. The event was an opportunity to remember the struggle of ulama and santri, while reaffirming the role of the santri generation in building Indonesia’s future.

“National Santri Day is an important moment to honour the contributions of ulama and santri in the struggle for independence and in safeguarding the unity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI),” North Jakarta Deputy Mayor Fredy Kurniawan said in Jakarta on Thursday.

He said that loving the country, preserving solidarity and putting religious values into practice in community life were shared responsibilities.

With the nation facing increasingly complex challenges amid advances in digital technology, social change and the rapid flow of information, santri needed to equip themselves with knowledge, technology, skills, and strong character and morals so they could respond to the demands of the times, he said.