VIDEO: Jokowi Officially Changes Name Of Isa Almasih Holiday To Jesus Christ

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo issued a Presidential Decree (Keppres) which changed the nomenclature term Isa Almasih to Jesus Christ for the naming of a national holiday. The decision is contained in Presidential Decree No. 8 of 2024 concerning Holidays signed by Jokowi as of January 29, 2024.

In letter a the document states three considerations behind the decision, namely that the arrangements regarding holidays are currently spread across several Presidential Decrees, so it is necessary to harmonize the arrangements for holidays. Letter b states that arrangements for holidays as referred to in letter a need to accommodate and adjust the dynamics of society and law. Consideration of letter c states that based on considerations as referred to in letters a and b it is necessary to set a Presidential Decree on Holidays.

With this consideration, in the first dictum of numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10, the nomenclature changes to the birth of Jesus Christ, the Death of Jesus Christ, the Awakening of Jesus Christ, and the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, in the fourth dictum mentioned when the Presidential Decree is valid, then Presidential Decree No. 10 of 1971 concerning the Day of the Death of Jesus Al-Still declared as a holiday is revoked and declared invalid.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Religion Saiful Rahmat Dasuki said the nomenclature change in the naming of the national holiday was based on proposals from Christians and Catholics. Watch the video below.