Cirebon Anniversary: Lawmaker Urges Stronger Support for Islamic Boarding Schools

As Cirebon celebrates its 599th anniversary, West Java Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) member Sidkon Djampi is calling on the provincial government to bolster its support for Islamic boarding schools, known as pesantren. Djampi views the legacy of the Cirebon Sultanate's founders, particularly Sunan Gunung Jati, as a vital model for integrating governance with religious values, a tradition that continues to thrive through these educational institutions.

Djampi described Sunan Gunung Jati as a unique figure who served as both a ruler and a prominent Islamic scholar, instrumental in spreading Islam throughout West Java and the wider Nusantara archipelago. "He was a leader who governed and, at the same time, a scholar who spread the teachings of Islam. These two roles merged in Sunan Gunung Jati and serve as a relevant example even today," Djampi stated on Monday afternoon.

The influence of Sunan Gunung Jati's missionary work is still evident in the numerous pesantren flourishing in the Cirebon region, including Kabupaten Cirebon, Kota Cirebon, and Kabupaten Indramayu, where hundreds of these schools serve as centers for Islamic education and community development. Djampi emphasized that these pesantren are invaluable assets that must be preserved and developed, contributing not only to religious understanding but also to national character and societal morality.

Therefore, Djampi urged the West Java provincial government to prioritize the development of pesantren, arguing that regional progress should be measured by advancements in education and religion, not solely by physical infrastructure. He believes the spirit of Sunan Gunung Jati calls for a balance between governmental and religious development, making the support and operation of pesantren a key concern for local authorities. Djampi hopes the provincial government will recognize Cirebon's rich Islamic heritage and the significant contributions of its pesantren to West Java's development.

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He was a leader who governed and, at the same time, a scholar who spread the teachings of Islam. These two roles merged in Sunan Gunung Jati and serve as a relevant example even today.