Prabowo's Moment Kissing Quran Gifted by Gontor

Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto was reported by Sindonews to have kissed a Quran gifted to him by the Gontor Islamic boarding school. This event suggests the importance of religious symbols in Indonesian politics, particularly the religious aspect of leaders and its influence on voters in the country, which has a large Muslim population. Prabowo, who was elected president in 2024 and currently serves as Defense Minister, has often emphasized his connection with the Islamic community in the past. This action of showing respect by kissing the Quran is seen as part of that effort. Gontor is one of the prominent Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, having produced many Islamic leaders and scholars. Kissing the gifted item from the school demonstrates Prabowo's deep respect for the holy book of Islam and can be interpreted as an expression of his intention to gain support from the Islamic community. In Indonesia, support from the Muslim majority is crucial for political leaders such as presidents and ministers. Therefore, showing respect for religious rituals and symbols is frequently used as a political appeal. This report highlights the religious aspect of Prabowo's political activities. His relationship with the Islamic community will likely continue to be a focus in his future political endeavors.