The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) held a gathering and vigil for the nation on Wednesday (Nov. 20) at the Red and White Building, South Jakarta. The invitees included Nahdlatul Ulema cleric Ahmad Muwafiq or Gus Muwafiq, as he is affectionately called.

KPK Chairman Agus Rahardjo said during his welcoming speech that the Commission expected its employees to get spiritual insight and have their nationhood spirit uplifted.

“KPK was founded to solidify the existence of the country. We have to keep that in mind. Taking care of this large nation is a herculean task, a very complicated one,” he said before hundreds of KPK employee, as well as KPK leaders and structural officials.

Gus Muwafiq said in his sermon that we have to nurture and instill the nationalism. As Indonesians, we have to be proud of being part of a big nation.

“The Mongol conquered many nations back then but they were defeated by Nusantara (Indonesia’s old name),” he said.

The love of the nation and the spirit of nationhood, he added, must be accompanied by tolerance given this country’s diversity in culture, religion and background.

“Differences should not become our weakness and the source of argument. We have to put tolerance in the forefront,” he said.