REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice presidential candidate KH Ma'ruf Amin has called on Islamic boarding school students (santri) to always be optimistic in helping build a better Indonesia. Speaking to the Islamic boarding school students and clerics, who gathered to celebrate National Santri Day at the Central Kalimantan Hajj Dormitory on Tuesday, Ma'ruf remarked that the students should not be subject to pessimistic views that said Indonesia will dissolve.

"Those who were pessimistic said Indonesia would dissolve, but we have to take advantage of the milestones set by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to take off," Ma'ruf remarked.

According to a press release, made available to Antara here on Tuesday, Ma'ruf, Jokowi's running mate in the upcoming presidential election, emphasized that Islamic boarding school students should become strong, competent, and highly motivated human resources in building Indonesia.

Also read: Santri must have role in nation's life: Ma'ruf Amin

He spoke of the strong spirit of Indonesian athletes competing in the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games. Initially, the medal targets of the athletes of Asian Games and Asian Para Games were not too high, but then, with high fighting spirit, they were able to double the medal acquisition from the initial target.

"Hence, we must harbor a high fighting spirit like that," Ma'ruf noted, urging the Islamic boarding school students to prepare themselves for the future and be able to compete and take part in national economic development.

He also suggested that in addition to being able to read the Qur'anic verses, the Islamic boarding school students must be able to comprehend the life order of the community and find solutions to the existing problems.

"The students must be able to interpret the situation and political, economic, and socio-cultural conditions. Not only reading but also finding solutions to highlight and solve problems in the community," Ma'ruf emphasized.

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