Sultan Urges Religious Leaders to Use Mosques for National Education

RRI.CO.ID, Gunungkidul - In an era dominated by rapid-fire information and digital noise, Governor of the Yogyakarta Province, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, is calling for a strategic return to the pulpit and the classroom to safeguard the nation’s intellect.

Speaking at the Syawalan gathering with the Gunungkidul Regency Administration on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Sultan urged religious leaders and educators to transform mosques and schools into front-line defenses against hatred and misinformation.

The Sultan emphasized that the religious community must play an active role in fostering a more thoughtful and patriotic citizenry. He specifically requested that those managing mosques and educational institutions dedicate a portion of their teachings to the values of national unity.

"For mosque administrators, I hope that in every sermon and teaching or lecture, you take just five minutes to insert teachings on the love for the motherland and the nation," the Sultan said, as quoted by Antara.

Central to his message was the concept of Tabayun, or careful verification, which he linked to the historical wisdom of the Wali Songo. He noted that true spiritual growth requires a commitment to study and dialogue.

According to the Sultan, Islamic preaching should be guided by the wisdom shared by Sunan Gunung Jati with Sunan Kalijaga. This teaching posits that becoming a true Muslim requires one to seek teachers, conduct deep studies, and engage in deliberation through dialogue.

This philosophical approach serves as a modern antidote to the "short mindedness" caused by viral hoaxes and hate speech. Sultan Hamengku Buwono X warned that receiving information without critical scrutiny, a process of check and re-check, threatens the very fabric of the constitution.

"Because, if the spark that embeds hate speech is constantly reproduced, I worry we will become a short-minded nation, a gossip nation, thus distancing us from the constitutional goal of educating the life of the nation," he remarked.

Beyond the fight against digital misinformation, the Governor called on the public to refine their spiritual sensitivity and cleanse themselves of worldly distractions to strengthen communal solidarity. This spiritual reinforcement aligns with the practical development goals currently being pursued in the region.

Regent of Gunungkidul, Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih, echoed this sentiment by highlighting the regency’s focus on grassroots economic empowerment and community-based tourism. She emphasized that the local administration remains committed to improving the welfare of its people through the spirit of mutual cooperation

"In line with the vision of the proclaimer Bung Karno, the Gunungkidul Regency Administration is committed to continuing the struggle to improve the fate of the people, especially in fulfilling the needs for food, clothing, housing, as well as education and culture," she said. ***