Building the Character of a Free Young Generation of Indonesia Within the Framework of Noble Ethics, Morals and Morality
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Mother Wati Salam’s thoughts on the need to prepare a Quranic generation, so that truly Islamic leaders emerge, are truly ideal. Indeed, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population. But is this quantity commensurate with the quality demonstrated by the results of their work and its considerable impact, as expressed by Mother Jatiningsih, who should be a leader for Indonesian women, who should be able to play a greater role in building a better, more civilized, prosperous, and just nation and state, realizing the ideals of national independence that successfully established the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, free from the shackles of colonialism.
At least, from the important note of the proclamation of independence 80 years ago, it primarily promised all people freedom from poverty and ignorance. However, the reality is that poverty seems to be fostered to foster people’s dependence on the government, which pampers them with direct cash assistance or food aid. Ideally, the government should provide jobs, facilitate business, and assist farmers and fishermen with work equipment, or cheap and readily available seeds and livestock feed, such as fertilizer, a constant complaint among farmers.
Their harvests, from rice to soybeans and coffee, suffer the same fate as fishermen’s catches, which predominantly enrich the corrupt and loan sharks. Because farmer and fisherman cooperatives, as well as small and medium-sized business cooperatives, such as those for crafts and artisans, and the threat of home-made products, lack protection and guidance, they cannot advance and grow, and continue to develop into independent businesses by empowering the resources of small communities.
In this dire situation, the dominant Muslim population becomes highly questionable. Just as in the political arena, no political party claiming to be in the name of Islam is currently a source of pride, let alone expected to do much for the welfare of the community.
In fact, the only hope for a young generation of Muslims to be abundant and play a significant role in the political struggle for Muslims is like a distant prospect.
Because one of the best ways to produce a strong young generation of Muslims who can play a significant role in bringing about change in this country is through the political arena. Because important policies and decisions related to the welfare of the people lie in the political realm. Is there a political educational institution in this country that has a distinctive and intelligent religious dominant?
Mustika Sani’s statement, which fueled the headline about the Qur’anic generation, may be true about the death of Muslims becoming leaders in Indonesia, but he still doubts that the leader is a Qur’anic figure. This means that the formal label of the leader may be an Islamic figure, but that still doesn’t reflect the Islamic content within his leadership policies that should be felt and enjoyed by the people.
That is why the prophetic Islamic movement—which is not formalistic, but grounded in the teachings and guidance of the Prophet—has been echoed since the 1980s, with the pluralist literary figure Dr. Kuntowijoyo. Yet, to this day, the majority of Muslims remain unaffected by formalistic views and even tend to judge fellow Muslims with a sarcastic and sarcastic tone.
Choosing a more universal spiritual path—one that eliminates the need for awkwardness with other religious communities and even fosters consensus on ethics, morals, and ethics as the primary spiritual foundation that can be practiced by all religious communities—is the best and most superior option, and is now increasingly popular, not just in this country.
Therefore, in the near future, the GMRI (Indonesian Moral Reconciliation Movement), initiated by Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu and a number of religious figures and leaders 30 years ago, will continue to serve as its driving force—it will travel to various countries to contribute to the awakening of spiritual awareness and understanding, which must be based on ethics, morals, and ethics as the pillars of an ideal and strong spiritual construction.
Therefore, to prepare a Qur’anic generation, there must be a clear formulation, a method, and a team of people ready and willing to mobilize it. However, in a number of places, qualified clerics and ustads have never been heard of providing a place to prepare a young generation that could be called distinctively Quranic, as Wati Salam, Jatiningsih, and Mustika Sani intended. And if only some of them could,not only did he play a key role and pioneer, but he was certainly a writer who had dreamed of this 45 years ago—when he was still a teenager—and was ready to dedicate his life and soul, perhaps as heroically as the cry of independence when it was proclaimed 80 years ago.
Certainly, this presentation is sincerely hoped to be a source of reflection as we commemorate Indonesia’s Independence Day—August 17, 2025—with the question: are we truly still enjoying the atmosphere of independence?
Banten, August 6, 2025
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