Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto explained the government’s rationale for forming the Directorate General of Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) within the Ministry of Religious Affairs during his National Santri Day message on Friday (Oct 24).

“I have approved the proposal to establish the Directorate General of Pesantren. This reflects the government’s strategic priority to pay greater attention to, protect, and strengthen the welfare of Islamic boarding schools,” he said in an official statement released by the Presidential Secretariat on Saturday (25/10/2025) as reported by antaranews.com..

He emphasized that the new directorate would serve as a concrete step to reinforce Indonesia’s pesantren-based religious education ecosystem. 

Pesantren, traditional Islamic boarding schools, are home to santri, or students who study both religious and general knowledge under the guidance of kyai (Islamic scholars). The pesantren network plays a vital role in shaping Indonesia’s moral and spiritual foundation.

Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Resolusi Jihad declared by Hasyim Asy’ari in 1945, Presidential Prabowo called on modern santri to embrace global progress while preserving Islamic and national values.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)