The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) has held a commemoration of National Santri Day at an event which also celebrated the anniversary of the Indonesian Islamic Boarding School Students Front (Front Santri Indonesia, FSI), an organisation formed by the FPI.
The event also featured video conference greetings from FPI “Great Leader” Rizieq Shihab or Habib Rizieq as he is known affectionately. In his greetings, Shihab again call for those present to be ready to ensure victory for Prabowo Subianto in the 2019 presidential elections.
“Also present among us is presidential candidate Prabowo. Are you ready to ensure victory for Prabowo? Once again prepare to ensure Prabowo is victorious”, said Shihab in his greetings to the FSI anniversary and commemoration of National Santri Day on the grounds of the Amaliyah Mosque in Bogor, West Java, on Tuesday October 23.
According to Shihab, the santri do not need to be hesitant about replacing the regime that is currently in power. He hopes that Prabowo and his vice presidential running mate Uno Sandiaga will receive guidance (hidayah) from Allah to rejuvenate Indonesia.
“Hopefully Prabowo and Sandi[aga] will receive hidayah from Allah so that they can lead this country with honesty and love for the state and its religion. So that Indonesia will become a country that is full of blessing”, said Shihab.
“I express my good wishes to the FSI, and to all santri who today are celebrating National Santri Day”, he said in closing.
Presidential candidate Number 2 Prabowo Subianto, who arrived at the event at 9.15pm, was greeted with shouts of God is Great (takbir) from those present.
During the event Prabowo received official backing for his presidential bid from FSI members who referred to him as a “militant santri’. This support was based on the results of a meeting of ulama [Islamic leaders] and a command from FPI “Great Leader” Habib Rizieq Shihab.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Habib Rizieq Serukan Front Santri Indonesia Dukung Prabowo di Pilpres.]
