8 Indonesian Presidents Have Visited Gontor, from Soekarno to Prabowo

PONOROGO, KOMPAS.com – Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo Regency, East Java, holds a significant place in Indonesia’s national history.

From the era of President Soekarno to President Prabowo Subianto, the heads of state of the Republic of Indonesia have recorded visits to the pesantren.

Riza Azhari Zarkasyi, spokesperson for the 100th Anniversary Committee of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, stated that this tradition of visits by the country’s leaders has persisted throughout Gontor’s history.

“Throughout nearly a century, Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor has never been without the visit of presidents of the Republic of Indonesia. Despite changes in national leadership, the tradition of presidential visits to Gontor remains steadfast to this day,” he said at Pondok Gontor on Saturday (9/19/2026).

Soekarno Visits Amid War of Independence

According to Riza, Indonesia's first president, Soekarno, was the first head of state to visit Gontor. He came in 1946 while the nation was still fighting to maintain its independence.

At that time, Gontor was home to just over a dozen santri (students), yet this did not stop Soekarno from visiting the pesantren located in the village of Gontor, Mlarak District, Ponorogo Regency.

“Soekarno’s visit marked the beginning of a series of head-of-state visits to Gontor that have continued for a century,” Riza added.

Soeharto Visits on Gontor’s 50th Anniversary

The tradition carried on during the presidency of Soeharto, Indonesia’s second president. Soeharto visited Gontor in 1978 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor.

During this visit, Soeharto and Gontor leader KH Imam Zarkasyi inaugurated the Jami Gontor Mosque.

“This mosque remains one of the central locations for religious activities within the pesantren,” Riza said.

Dok GONTOR The atmosphere at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG) ahead of the 100th anniversary celebrations on September 18-20, 2026.

Habibie Inaugurates Several Buildings

Indonesia’s third president, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, also visited Gontor several times. One notable visit occurred in 1999 while Habibie was still in office.

He came to strengthen ties with the Gontor community and to inaugurate several buildings within the pesantren. This visit further reinforced Habibie's relationship with the Gontor family.

Gus Dur’s Close Relation with Gontor Family

President Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, Indonesia’s fourth president, had a close bond with the Gontor family.

This connection was nurtured through his longstanding friendship with KH Syukri Zarkasyi, a prominent Gontor figure, dating back to their youth.

“This relationship also strengthened ties between Pondok Gontor and the Tebuireng pesantren community,” Riza explained.

Megawati Inaugurates Gontor’s Women’s Campus

Indonesia’s fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, continued the head-of-state visitation tradition at Gontor.

In 2002, Megawati inaugurated Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor’s Women’s Campus 2, marking a milestone in Gontor’s educational development, particularly for female santri.

SBY Attends Gontor’s 80th Anniversary

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), the sixth president, visited Gontor in 2006 to attend the thanksgiving celebration marking the pesantren’s 80th anniversary.

SBY’s presence sustained the continuous tradition of presidents visiting and maintaining ties with the Gontor community.

Jokowi Inaugurates UNIDA Building

Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo, visited Gontor in 2016 for the 90th anniversary celebrations.

During this visit, Jokowi inaugurated the main building of Universitas Darussalam Gontor and laid the first stone for the construction of the Gontor Tower.

Prabowo Completes Gontor’s Century-Long History

Now, Indonesia’s eighth president, Prabowo Subianto, continues this historic tradition. Prabowo attended the thanksgiving celebration for the 100th anniversary of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo on Saturday (9/19).

His attendance marks the continuation of a tradition that, according to Riza, has been maintained since President Soekarno’s era.

“We are truly grateful that from the first president until today, Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor has always been honored by visits from the heads of state,” said Riza.

During his visit, Prabowo inaugurated the Pondok Modern Meeting Hall (BPPM) and the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Darussalam Gontor.

“By the grace of Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate the Pondok Modern Meeting Hall and the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Darussalam Gontor,” said Prabowo.

Riza explained that this ongoing relationship shows the close connection between Gontor and the government is not built for momentary interests. Instead, it has developed through education, relationship-building, service, and contributions to society.

“To highlight what has been said, Gontor has maintained a relationship with the government since the first president that is not driven by short-term interests,” Riza said.

He added that Gontor also prepares santri to become the nation’s future leaders.

“Gontor truly prepares generations of santri to become future leaders ready to build a much better Indonesia,” he said.

Riza further mentioned that this relationship will continue to be nurtured through education and service to the community.

“And also through continued relationship-building, education, service, and real contributions to society. This is how Gontor and the government maintain a strong bond,” he concluded.