Estimated 500,000 Muslims Join Eid al-Fitr Prayer in Istiqlal Mosque

March 21, 2026 | 04:33 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar estimated that the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta was attended by more than 500,000 people. According to Nasaruddin, the congregation overflowed into the courtyard. 

Nasaruddin mentioned that the main building of Istiqlal Mosque could facilitate more than 250,000 people. "Those in the lower levels could not even get in, so it's likely more than 500,000 (congregants)," said Nasaruddin after the Eid prayer on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Nasaruddin also called on the people to be grateful for being able to celebrate Eid in Indonesia, which he deemed the best among other countries. 

Nasaruddin claimed that even foreigners also enjoy celebrating Eid in Indonesia. "It's peaceful, there are no threats," said the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque.

Several officials attended the Eid prayer at Istiqlal Mosque. Among them were Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and the Chair of the People's Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Muzani.

This year's Eid prayer at Istiqlal Mosque was not attended by President Prabowo Subianto, as he opted to visit disaster-affected areas. He performed the Eid al-Fitr prayer at Darussalam Mosque, Aceh Tamiang, which is located in temporary housing for Sumatra flood and landslide victims at the end of last year.

Prabowo was accompanied by several state officials when performing the Eid prayer in Aceh. Among them were Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

Teddy said that Prabowo visited Aceh Tamiang during this Eid moment to review the progress of post-disaster flood handling in the area. "We all flew to Aceh, performed the Eid prayer there, with the people of Aceh in particular," said Teddy as quoted by Antara on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Teddy explained that President Prabowo performed the congregational Eid prayer at a location near the temporary shelters for disaster-affected victims. After the Eid prayer, Prabowo will receive a report on the latest developments in disaster management in Aceh from the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian and the Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggono who arrived earlier in Tamiang.

President Prabowo began his Eid al-Fitr tour on Friday, March 20, 2026, arriving in Medan to perform takbiran during the eve of Eid and departing the following morning.

Read: Prabowo Visits Flood Victims After Eid Prayer in Aceh

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