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.