Prabowo Attends Gontor Centennial Celebration, Greets Santri from atop Maung

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto attended the centennial celebration of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday (19/9/2026).

According to the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, Prabowo arrived at the Gontor Islamic Boarding School campus around 09:56 a.m. WIB, riding in a white Maung vehicle.

Wearing a cream safari jacket, black peci cap, and sunglasses, Prabowo stood through the car’s sunroof, greeting santri lined up along the road leading to the event location.

The Gerindra Party chairman waved to the santri, occasionally clenching his fist in rhythm with the welcoming song “Maju Tak Gentar.”

Shortly after, Prabowo and his entourage entered the venue for the thanksgiving event.

This time, Prabowo wore a white koko shirt paired with a peci and black trousers.

Previously reported, Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG) was preparing to hold its 100-year anniversary climax celebration from September 18 to 20, 2026.

Approximately 8,776 guests were expected to attend the series of activities.

The lineup included completing the Qur’an recitation (khataman Al-Qur’an), thanksgiving prayers (sujud syukur), a gratitude reception, brotherhood night (malam ukhuwah), group exercise, and a grand reunion.

“The 100-year peak series starts on Friday. We begin with the khatmul Qur’an, involving all boarding schools, alumni boarding schools, UNIDA male and female campuses, and all alumni, including those who cannot attend in person,” said Riza Azhari, Chairman of the PMDG 100-Year Thanksgiving Reception Committee, in a press release on Friday (18/9/2026).

After the thanksgiving reception on Saturday afternoon, that evening Gontor will hold two alumni events simultaneously, divided by cohorts.

“The brotherhood night at BPPM will carry the theme tahadduts bin ni’mah, while the hangout night will feature musical performances,” Ahmad said.

The entire commemoration series will conclude with group exercise and the Grand Reunion on Sunday (20/9/2026), starting at 08:00 a.m. WIB.