Indonesian Minister, Faith Leaders Call for Interfaith Harmony
Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs and interfaith leaders held a dialogue and mass prayer at Istiqlal Mosque to strengthen national unity.
Portal Islam 
This article was first published in Indonesian. Baca versi Bahasa Indonesia →
Religious leaders alongside the Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. KH Nasaruddin Umar held a series of interfaith leader dialogues and joint prayers for the nation's well-being at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. This event was organized as a concrete step to strengthen interfaith harmony, maintain national stability, and uphold the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) amid various national dynamics and global challenges.
According to media reports, specific emphasis was placed on the activities and attendance figures gathered from the forum. DetikHikmah reported that the Interfaith Leader Dialogue was attended by around 100 participants from various religious speaker backgrounds on Thursday (Nov 12, 2026). Meanwhile, Republika reported that the event continued with a Joint Prayer for the Welfare of the Nation attended by approximately 5,000 participants on Thursday night (Nov 13, 2026) in the main hall of Istiqlal Mosque.
Interfaith Dialogue and the Reading of Seven Declarations
The dialogue forum brought together representatives from Indonesia's six official religions: Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. According to DetikHikmah, the dialogue yielded a joint agreement consisting of seven points of declaration themed 'Nurturing Harmony, Upholding National Sovereignty'.
Quoting DetikHikmah, Minister Nasaruddin Umar explained the purpose and proceedings of the meeting during a post-event press conference:
"We have just held an interfaith dialogue attended by approximately 100 people. Representatives from all religions were fully present as speakers, and this event was also accompanied by the reading of a joint declaration by interfaith figures with the theme 'Nurturing Harmony, Upholding National Sovereignty'," Nasaruddin stated in a written release on Thursday (Nov 12, 2026).
As reported by DetikHikmah, the seven points of the joint declaration were read alternately by representatives of various faith leaders and religious organizations, namely Hano abinasti Palit (Christianity), Budi S. Tanuwibowo (Confucianism), Marsudi Syuhud (Islam), Aloysius Budi Purnomo (Catholicism), Astono Chandra Dana (Hinduism), Wongsin Labhiko Mahathera (Buddhism), and ICMI General Chairman Arif Satria.
Below are the seven joint declarations agreed upon by the interfaith leaders:
- Reaffirming the national commitment that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) stands firmly on the foundation of Belief in the One and Only God as a spiritual baseline in societal, national, and state life.
- Honoring the service and struggle of heroes who sacrificed their souls and bodies to seize, defend, and fill the nation's independence.
- Maintaining the spirit of nationalism and patriotism within the framework of unity, brotherhood, and tolerance, while rejecting all forms of anarchist actions and efforts leading to division or undermining national sovereignty.
- Placing interfaith harmony, peace, and brotherhood as the foundation and prerequisite for sustainable development, while maintaining a calm and conducive atmosphere amid national and global dynamics.
- Actualizing noble religious values as moral guidelines, public ethics, and a unifying force for the ummah amid Indonesia's national diversity.
- Inviting all religious communities and the wider public to act wisely, avoiding easy provocation by consistently prioritizing verification and clarification when responding to information dynamics on social media.
- Rejecting all forms of exploitative actions and environmental destruction as a manifestation of the responsibility to preserve nature, while supporting every development policy aimed at realizing social welfare and justice for all Indonesian citizens.
Minister Emphasizes Self-Control and Sacred Religious Values
According to DetikHikmah, the Minister explained that these seven points of agreement were designed to serve as a moral foundation for all religious communities in Indonesia to preserve social harmony. Quoting DetikHikmah, the Minister emphasized:
"All religious communities have agreed to consistently uphold the national pillars of the NKRI. Religious adherents are also invited to continually exercise self-control in responding to various issues that may arise around us, and to reconnect with the sacred teachings of their respective religions, which fundamentally overflow with love, friendship, and peace," Nasaruddin remarked.
This attitude of mutual respect and self-control aligns with the profound principles of tolerance, much like discussions concerning the meaning of 'for you your religion, and for me my religion', which establishes a foundation of peace amidst differing beliefs.
Joint Prayers for the Welfare and Safety of the Nation
Following the dialogue forum, the agenda continued with a Joint Prayer for the Welfare of the Nation. According to Republika, this mass prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta was attended by Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. KH Nasaruddin Umar alongside Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Dudung Abdurachman.
Quoting Republika, Minister Nasaruddin Umar expressed gratitude for the successful execution of the event before thousands of congregants:
"Alhamdulillah, we were able to gather at Istiqlal Mosque tonight for joint prayers. Following the interfaith dialogue attended by all religious representatives, the event continued with joint dhikr and mahalul qiyam," said the Minister on Thursday night (Nov 13, 2026).
The Minister added that this joint prayer aimed to seek protection from Allah SWT so that the Indonesian nation would be spared from division and security threats. As quoted by Republika, the Minister stated:
"The Indonesian nation must always be granted the strength to face and prevent any malicious intentions that could disrupt unity and public peace," he said.
National, Religious Momentum and Disaster Relief Concerns
According to Republika, the Minister considered this activity strategically significant as it coincided with important national and religious moments. Alongside commemorating Heroes' Day—which aligns with emulating the values of struggle seen in the government awarding national hero titles to several national figures—society is also welcoming International Tolerance Day on November 16, entering the month of Rajab, and commemorating the Isra Mikraj of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
On this occasion, the Minister also invited the public to express gratitude for the blessing of rain and to pray for communities struck by disaster. According to Republika, the Minister noted:
"We ought to be grateful for the rain falling from the sky. May this rain become a mercy and bring benefits to community life, including helping to quell forest and land fires occurring in several regions," he remarked.
Quoting Republika, the Minister also invited the public to pray for fellow citizens affected by natural disasters:
"Let us sincerely pray for our brothers and sisters currently affected by disasters. May they be granted strength, safety, and ease in facing every trial," he said.
The Minister further underlined the importance of appreciating Indonesia's peaceful conditions amid global turmoil. Quoting Republika, he stated:
"We witness various chaos unfolding in several countries, whereas Indonesia should be grateful to still be granted a relatively safe and peaceful atmosphere," he said.
Simultaneous Prayer Movements Across Indonesia
According to DetikHikmah, this spiritual endeavor was not confined to Jakarta. The Ministry of Religious Affairs mobilized its entire administrative structure simultaneously on the same day, ranging from Provincial Regional Offices (Kanwil) of Kemenag, Regency/City Kemenag Offices, to Religious Affairs Offices (KUA) and mosques across Indonesia to hold simultaneous prayers and expressions of gratitude.
This concerted step was undertaken to strengthen public inner resilience in facing various global challenges, including the impacts of global economic uncertainty. According to DetikHikmah, the Minister conveyed his hopes:
"We pray that the global difficulties faced by the nation, especially this Indonesian nation, may be lifted by Almighty God, thus restoring prosperity and peace for families and all creations," he concluded.
The Minister added that the management of various national dynamics in Indonesia has always been resolved maturely within the corridors of the constitution and democracy.
Islamic Wisdom: Nurturing Brotherhood and Being a Mercy to Creation
In the teachings of Wasathiyah (moderate) Islam, efforts to cultivate peace, strengthen human brotherhood, and preserve the environment represent a real manifestation of Islam as a religion full of benefits (rahmatan lil 'alamin). Islam consistently encourages its followers to become pioneers of peace and weavers of unity.
Allah SWT emphasizes the importance of maintaining brotherhood and peace in the Qur'an:
اِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ اِخْوَةٌ فَاَصْلِحُوْا بَيْنَ اَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُوْنَ ࣖ ﴿١٠﴾
The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.
Qur'an, Surah Al-Hujuraat [49]: 10 (Sahih International)
Through a combination of calm dialogue and sincere prayer, all elements of society are invited to continue joining hands. It is hoped that this outward endeavor balanced with a spiritual approach will enable Indonesia to remain a safe, peaceful, and blessed home for all its citizens.
