Strengthening Interfaith Harmony: Minister of Religious Affarirs Convenes National Prayer and Mass Zikr Festival

JAKARTA, UIN Online News – Marking the official opening of Indonesia’s Independence Month celebrations, the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Professor Nasaruddin Umar, has issued a national call urging citizens across the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek) to assemble at the iconic National Monument (Monas) on Saturday, August 1, 2026, for the National Zikr and Interfaith Prayer Assembly.

The grand spiritual gathering serves as a unified national effort to foster interfaith harmony, national solidarity, and civic gratitude ahead of the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence.

Organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the main proceedings feature a high-profile Islamic praise gathering (Selawat Kebangsaan) led by renowned scholar Habib Syech bin Abdul Qodir Assegaf alongside Quranic reciters.

Highlighting Indonesia's constitutional commitment to pluralism, the climax of the event features a joint national prayer led simultaneously by institutional leaders representing the six officially recognized religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

"Prayer is the ultimate spiritual anchor accompanying every national endeavor," Secretary-General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Kamaruddin Amin stated. "Through this mass zikr and joint interfaith prayer, we petition Almighty God to bless Indonesia as a sovereign, just, and prosperous nation."

To accommodate hundreds of thousands of anticipated attendees, state organizers have established comprehensive venue logistics at Monas Square. Gates open at 15:00 WIB through security checkpoints at the northern and southern entrances, supported by external giant LED screens for crowds outside the main perimeter.

1. Public Amenities: Facilities include hundreds of mobile restrooms and dedicated ablution (wudu) stations equipped with 1,000 to 1,500 water taps.

2. Public Directives: Attendees are encouraged to dress in white attire, carry personal prayer mats, and adhere to safety regulations, which restrict heavy baggage, pyrotechnics, or sharp objects within the national monument grounds.

By convening a mass interfaith gathering at the nation's most symbolic public square, the Ministry of Religious Affairs presents a vivid demonstration of how Indonesia leverages faith, mutual respect, and pluralistic harmony as foundational pillars for national strength.