Gus Baha Leads Kajian for Police and Santri in Rembang
On September 26, 2026, thousands of participants—comprising national police personnel and Islamic boarding school students known as santri—joined a virtual and in-person “Ngaji Kebangsaan” assembly led by cleric KH Ahmad Bahauddin Nursalim, widely known as Gus Baha, in Rembang, Central Java, to reinforce national unity, religious diversity, and community service.
The Gathering at Pondok Pesantren Tahfidzul Qur’an LP3IA
The main gathering took place at Pondok Pesantren Tahfidzul Qur’an LP3IA in Rembang, Central Java, on Saturday, September 26, 2026. According to official police documentation and coverage from Antara via Koran Jakarta, the on-site assembly brought together 700 participants in a single hall. This direct attendance group consisted of 100 female police officers, known as Polwan, 300 male police officers, known as Polki, and 300 santri.
Simultaneously, a massive digital network bridged the physical gap in Rembang with the rest of the archipelago. Exactly 41,449 additional participants tuned in via virtual streaming channels. This digital contingent included diverse ranks of the national police force stationed across various regional jurisdictions throughout Indonesia.
Partnership Between Ulama and Umara in Modern Indonesia
National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo attended the Rembang assembly in person. In his address to the thousands of attendees, he expressed deep gratitude to Gus Baha and the pesantren administrators for welcoming the police force into their academic and spiritual community.
General Listyo Sigit Prabowo highlighted the historical partnership between ulama, meaning Islamic scholars, and umara, meaning government leaders or authorities. He noted that these two groups share a long history of fighting together to achieve and defend national independence. Today, that shared historical duty translates into a joint responsibility to maintain public order and build a stronger nation.
Meanwhile, he explained, the national police force carries out the daily mandate of maintaining security, enforcing order, and protecting citizens so that national development can proceed without disruption.
Managing Diversity Amid Global Challenges
Addressing the current international climate, the police chief urged all participants to view Indonesia’s vast cultural and religious diversity as a core national strength rather than a vulnerability. He emphasized that social differences must be managed constructively to prevent them from escalating into conflicts that could harm society and the state.
The event also highlighted the everyday human realities of law enforcement. Acknowledging that police work carries significant occupational risks, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo asked for prayers and spiritual guidance from the ulama. He specifically requested safety, strength, and ease for officers currently executing high-risk duties across remote and urban sectors alike.
Extending the Message Across the Archipelago
What began as a localized gathering in a Central Java pesantren expanded into a nationwide exercise in civic harmony. The combination of 700 attendees on-site and more than 41,000 remote viewers transformed the study session into a synchronized public reaffirmation of national identity.
From the classrooms of Rembang to police command posts nationwide, the participants shared a unified directive: scholars provide moral clarity, security forces protect the peace, and citizens work together to preserve a secure and advancing Indonesia.