President Yet to Issue Decision on 'Santri Day'

Jakarta (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), has yet to issue a decision on declaring Muharram 1 Islamic New Year as a 'Santri' (Islamic school students') Day as he had promised during his election campaign. "Jokowi does not simply want to issue a mere presidential decision on 'Santri Day' but intends to carry out more substantial activities," the former deputy chairman of Jokowi's Transition Team, Andi Widjajanto, said here on Saturday. Widjajanto stated that a number of more substantial activities, including efforts to develop and advance educational institutions, e, ensure interaction and communication with Muslim scholars and advance the Ummah's financial condition, were being given priority. He affirmed that the president would certainly issue the decision stipulating Muharram 1 as a Santri Day, which was also the Islamic New Year. Although it cannot be issued now, there will be a series of events that will give hints about the announcement of the Santri Day stipulation, Widjajanto said. Moreover, the General Chairman of the Indonesia Ulemas Council (MUI), Din Syamsuddin, supported the idea of issuing a decree instituting the Santri Day. "I support any plan to launch a Santri Day. It is a good effort," Syamsuddin said here on Saturday. (*)