Sinta Nuriyah Calls on All Parties to Foster Harmony and Preserve National Unity

Jombang (ANTARA) – Sinta Nuriyah, wife of Indonesia’s fourth president K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid, called on all parties to maintain harmony with one another to create peace and national unity.

“Fundamentally, we are one, so there is no need for conflict,” she said during a pre-dawn meal gathering at Pondok Al-Khoiriyah Seblak Diwek in Jombang Regency, East Java, early on Sunday (1/3).

She stated that whilst parliamentary seats may be contested, those elected to the House of Representatives should commit themselves to nation-building.

“Only parliamentary seats may be competed for, as long as they are not used to divide the nation and state. Instead, they must be used to build the nation,” she said.

She expressed optimism that Indonesia would be able to develop and become a great nation, provided it maintains national harmony.

“As long as we can remain united with all elements of the nation despite our differences,” she added.

Sinta Nuriyah also noted that pre-dawn meal gatherings have been conducted since Gus Dur was alive, some 26 years ago.

She recounted that Gus Dur frequently organised such gatherings with underprivileged communities. This represented a form of attention to their needs.

“These pre-dawn meal gatherings have been held for 26 years, when I was still accompanying the late Gus Dur. In Jakarta I shared sahur with construction workers, market vendors and those at terminals, even under overpasses,” she said.

She acknowledged that not everyone is fortunate. Indonesia, moreover, comprises many ethnicities, religions, races and cultures. She does not wish the nation to be divided because of these differences.

She hopes such activities continue to be held regularly and can help others.

Rika Fauziyah Andarini, chairwoman of the Khoiriyah Hasyim Seblak Foundation in Jombang Regency, said she was delighted that Sinta Nuriyah could attend the pre-dawn meal gathering.

She noted that during his lifetime, Gus Dur frequently taught at the foundation, making it a particular honour that the late Gus Dur’s wife was willing to attend.

“The late Gus Dur once taught Arabic at the Seblak Madrasah here,” she said.

She hopes the bonds of brotherhood that already exist are well maintained.

“Hopefully those present can emulate Mrs Nyai Sinta in embracing all elements of society, having organised pre-dawn meal gatherings for 26 years,” she said.

The event was attended by hundreds of residents from Jombang and surrounding areas, including students, government officials, and representatives of various faiths and other invited guests.

The event was enlivened by a lion dance performance from Anakonda Jombang and traditional dance performances from Wilwatikta dance studio, as well as hadrah (traditional Islamic chanting) from Qolbu Qur’an students of Pondok Seblak, Jombang.

The event opened with the singing of Indonesia Raya and the Syubanul Wathan march, followed by the recitation of Quranic verses by visually impaired students from SLB Muhammadiyah Jombang.

The proceedings concluded with congregational dawn prayers, led by Muhajir, head of the Religious Affairs Ministry for Jombang Regency, as the prayer leader.