Moment Prabowo Kisses Quran Gifted by Pondok Gontor Leader

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto kissed a Quran presented by the leadership of the Modern Islamic Boarding School Darussalam Gontor during the 100th Anniversary Thanksgiving Reception of the school in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday (19/9/2026).

The moment came right after Gontor leader K.H. Hasan Abdullah Sahal finished delivering his speech before Prabowo.

Hasan then stepped down from the stage and handed a book titled "Gontor's Gift to Indonesia" to Prabowo.

Following that, another Gontor leader presented a Mushaf Al-Qur'an, which is a creation of Gontor students and printed by an independent printing house within the pesantren’s premises.

Prabowo accepted the Quran, lifted it up, and immediately kissed it.

In his speech, Hasan said that Gontor has contributed to the Indonesian nation through its alumni who serve in various fields.

However, Hasan admitted that he could not enumerate each contribution due to time constraints.

"So this time, I apologize, we can only convey this, Sir. The results of our work and our alumni’s service to this nation cannot be individually listed in this short time," Hasan said.

Hasan then presented two gifts to Prabowo: the book "Gontor’s Gift to Indonesia" and the Gontor Mushaf.

"Therefore, please allow us only to present the book: 'Gontor’s Gift to Indonesia.' And also to officially inaugurate the Gontor Mushaf," Hasan said.

He explained that the Gontor Mushaf is the work of Gontor students and printed by Gontor’s printing press.

"It’s the work of Gontor students, printed by Gontor’s press, given to Gontor’s children, dedicated as a gift to you, Sir, and to the Muslim community," Hasan said.

Hasan expressed his hope that Indonesia remains a strong and victorious nation.

"I think that is enough, so hopefully the country Indonesia, the Indonesian nation, will remain glorious," Hasan concluded.

It is noted that Prabowo attended the 100th Anniversary Thanksgiving Reception of the Modern Darussalam Gontor Islamic Boarding School in Ponorogo, East Java, on Saturday.

At the event, Prabowo was accompanied by State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and several other officials.

Other officials present included Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly from the PKS faction Hidayat Nur Wahid, Deputy Speaker from the Democratic faction Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.