Ramadan 1447 H, Istiqlal Ready to Be a Home for All Believers

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar said the Istiqlal Mosque is ready to be a home for all religious people, not only Muslims, during the 1447 Hijriah Ramadan.

"Because of its management model, Istiqlal was invited to the United Nations in New York and was trusted to be a model for the construction of mosques in Latin America and Africa," he said at the Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, February 18, reported by ANTARA.

Nasaruddin explained that one of the international icons of Istiqlal is the Silaturahmi Tunnel, an underground corridor that connects the Istiqlal Mosque with the Jakarta Cathedral Church, which is often visited by state guests, ranging from the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama to other heads of state.

"Inside the tunnel, there was a mixture of the sound of the azan and church bells, symbolizing inter-human harmony," he said.

The Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque also explained that the mosque with a capacity of 250 thousand visitors is a symbol of tolerance in the Eid al-Adha.

"The sacrificial animals are not only from Muslims, but also from non-Muslims, with very good quality," he said.

Especially during the holy month of Ramadan, there will be various routine activities at the Istiqlal Mosque, including tarawih prayers preceded by the appearance of international qari-qari (readers of the holy book of the Quran) which will be broadcast in rotation until the end of Ramadan.

"After that, it was also continued by a preacher chosen from various backgrounds: popular for his scholarship, public figures or religious artists, and famous da'i (preachers)," he said.

The government through the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) stipulates that the beginning of fasting or 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah/2026 Masehi falls on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after being decided through the Isbat Meeting.

This decision is different from the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership (PP) which stipulates the beginning of Ramadan one day earlier or falls on Wednesday (18/2). The difference in methods is the basis for the difference in the determination of the beginning of Ramadan.