Harmonious Communities and Ethical Technology: Eighty Years of the Ministry of Religious Affairs

Minister of Religious Affairs’ Address
Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of Service
Ministry of Religious Affairs

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Shalom,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Wei De Dong Tian.

Let us offer our praise and gratitude to Almighty God. By His grace and abundant mercy, on this auspicious day we are able to take part in the Commemoration Ceremony of the 80th Anniversary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in good health and well-being.

We extend the same gratitude for His blessings that have enabled the Ministry of Religious Affairs to endure throughout the nation’s history—withstanding challenges and continuously adapting to the dynamics of the times.

Distinguished members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs family,

Today, we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs under the theme “Harmonious Communities and Synergy, a Peaceful and Progressive Indonesia.” This theme affirms that harmony is not merely the absence of conflict but a form of national energy. Harmony is productive synergy, where differences in identity, belief, and social background are woven into a collaborative strength that drives national progress.

Historically, the establishment of the Ministry of Religious Affairs was not merely a sociological response but a concrete necessity for a plural nation. This republic was not built by a single group but through the synergy of all components of the nation—from the struggle for independence to the present day. The founding figures of the ministry envisioned it as an institution that would contribute meaningfully to nurturing peaceful religious life while opening the broadest possible path toward a just, harmonious, and prosperous society.

Distinguished members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs family,

Eighty years of this journey affirm that the Ministry of Religious Affairs was founded as a guardian of religious reasoning within the framework of nationhood. Today, that role has become broader and more crucial: enhancing the quality of religious and faith-based education; safeguarding interreligious harmony grounded in humanitarian values; empowering the economic resilience of religious communities; and ensuring that religion serves as a source of solutions to national challenges.

Throughout 2025, we have worked diligently to build the foundation of an “Impact-Driven Ministry of Religious Affairs.” We have demonstrated that this spirit is not merely a slogan but a tangible commitment whose benefits are increasingly felt by the community. Our extensive digital transformation has delivered religious services that are more accessible, transparent, and efficient.

We have also strengthened the economic foundations of religious communities through thousands of pesantren and the empowerment of faith-based social economies, including zakat, waqf, infaq, alms, diakonia, donations/collections, dana punia, Paramita funds, and other charitable funds. These programs not only foster the independence of religious institutions but also serve as drivers of the broader community economy.

In the field of education, our madrasahs, religious schools, and religious higher education institutions continue to demonstrate rising quality and are no longer regarded as second-choice options. Curriculum innovation and strengthened infrastructure have positioned educational institutions under the Ministry of Religious Affairs on par with, and in some cases exceeding, other educational standards. Through the Village of Harmony Awareness program, we have also moved the discourse on harmony from seminar rooms into concrete practices within society.

All of these efforts underscore a single commitment: every step and policy of the Ministry of Religious Affairs must deliver tangible benefits that are directly felt by the public, rather than remaining confined to administrative and bureaucratic matters.

Distinguished members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs family,

In responding to the challenges of our time, we must revisit the pages of civilizational history. Religion once served as a profound source of global enlightenment. We recall the Bayt al-Hikmah in the medieval era as a global intellectual center of its time. It was not merely a library but a vast center of research and translation that addressed the challenges of life through knowledge. There, religious values converged with rationality to advance human civilization. This is the spirit we must revive today.

Humanity now faces a major challenge known as Artificial Intelligence (AI). We live in the VUCA era—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity—where change occurs rapidly, unpredictably, and with increasing complexity. In this era, we must not remain passive observers. We must establish AI sovereignty.

If, in the past, scholars and intellectuals shaped the world through literacy and scholarship in centers of civilization such as the Bayt al-Hikmah, then today civil servants of the Ministry of Religious Affairs must shape the substance of AI with religious content that is authoritative, valid, moderate, calming, and enlightening. We must ensure that future algorithms are not devoid of divine and humanitarian values. AI must be guided to serve as a tool for unity and the strengthening of harmony, not as a trigger for disinformation and division.

Distinguished members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs family,

To realize this grand vision, every civil servant within the Ministry of Religious Affairs is required to transform into an agile individual—responsive to change, adaptive, open to technology and innovation, and capable of delivering services swiftly with empathy and integrity. These values are not new; they are a noble legacy of religious traditions that must be reactivated within the contemporary context.

In line with the theme of the 80th Anniversary, “Harmonious Communities and Synergy, a Peaceful and Progressive Indonesia,” let us unite our resolve. With a solid foundation, a spirit of impactful service, and ethical mastery of technology, we are optimistic that we can guide Indonesia toward a future that is peaceful, progressive, and dignified.

Happy 80th Anniversary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Continue to serve, and continue to be a guiding light for the nation.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Jakarta, January 3, 2026

Minister of Religious Affairs,

Nasaruddin Umar