Gontor leader’s blunt remarks highlight ‘pesantren’ political independence
A viral speech by Gontor Islamic boarding school leader Hasan Abdullah Sahal has underscored the institution’s distance from politics, amid growing questions over the independence of Indonesia’s major Muslim organizations under the current administration.
A controversial speech by Gontor Islamic boarding school leader Hasan Abdullah Sahal has brought attention to the school's political independence amid scrutiny of Indonesia's major Muslim organizations under the current administration. Gontor, a renowned pesantren (Islamic boarding school) located in East Java, celebrated its centennial on Saturday in Ponorogo, where the cleric made his remarks.
Throughout the speech, Sahal emphasized the school's dedication to education and the importance of preserving the nation's history.
In a moment that drew laughter from the audience, Sahal playfully referenced President Prabowo Subianto's famous line, "Sorry ye." He then contrasted the institution's role in education with that of its alumni who have served in the government, stating that both made "contributions to the nation" in their own ways.
The speech's most pointed moment came when Sahal challenged the audience to protest him if his lifestyle ever surpassed that of his students. While the comment was seen as a subtle critique of power, it underscored the school's stance against political entanglement. This comes on the heels of recent protests against the administration's policies, following a year of nationwide demonstrations in 2025 over economic inequality and lawmakers' lavish pay.
Written by urgent.news from The Jakarta Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
