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.
Presidential candidate Number 2 Prabowo Subianto, who arrived at the event at 9.15pm, was greeted with shouts of Allah is Great (takbir) from those present.
“Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar, Prabowo, Prabowo, Prabowo”, shouted the santri who held up two fingers symbolising Prabowo’s campaign number at the event held on the grounds of the Amaliyah Mosque in Bogor, West Java on Monday October 22.
Prabowo arrived wearing a white koko [a long-sleeve collarless shirt for men] and a black Muslim skullcap. He was accompanied by Greater Indonesian Movement Party (Gerindra) politician and House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fadli Zon.
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.
“We will safeguard Pak [Mr] Prabowo Subianto. Are you ready to ensure victory for Prabowo? Takbir [God is Great]”, shouted FPI general chairperson KH Ahmad Sobri Lubis.
“Prabowo Subianto has been mandated by the ulama across Indonesia to step forward as Indonesia’s presidential candidate for what is to come”, added Lubis.
Lubis said that the santri have played an important political role in Indonesia. Beginning with the struggle for independence from the Dutch through to the current period. Looking at the current situation, he said it is time for the santri to rise up to save Indonesia.
“Today in Indonesia we feel that were are on the verge of destruction, so it’s time for the ulama and santri to rise up to save Indonesia”, he said.
“Through this event, we will strengthen our unity, God willing we will struggle for the decision by the ulama meeting to [support] the candidate and future leader [of Indonesia] Prabowo Subianto”, said Lubis in closing.
The event was attended by a number of religious figures including Habib Muhammad Hanif Al-Athos, Habib Muchsin Bin Zain Al-Athos, KH Maksum Hasan, Buya KH Ahmad Qurtubi, Ustaz Haikal Hasan and Habib Nabil Al-Habsy.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was Front Santri Indonesia Deklarasi Dukung Prabowo di Pilpres 2019.]
