Eid Prayers At Istiqlal: Thousands Of Congregants, President Present, Strict Security

The congregation of Eid prayer 1446 Hijri at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Friday (6/6/2025) in the morning. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA The congregation has started crowding the Istiqlal Mosque area, Central Jakarta, since Friday morning to attend Eid al-Adha 1446 Hijri/2025 AD prayer.

Quoted by ANTARA, the queue has been seen snaking since 04.00 WIB or shortly after the mosque gates opened, especially at the Al-Fattah Gate opposite the Jakarta Cathedral Church.

Before entering the main room of the mosque, the congregation underwent a security check by joint officers, including elements of the Presidential Security Forces (Paspampres).

Mukhlisin (54), a resident of Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, admitted that this was his first time attending Eid prayers at the Istiqlal Mosque. Previously, he used to pray at the residential mosque.

This year I invite my wife, two children, son-in-law, and grandchildren. We have come since dawn, the Fajr prayer is here so we can get a place in the front row of the main hall floor. Apart from wanting to feel the atmosphere in Istiqlal, I also want to pray with the President and Vice President," he said when met in the mosque yard.

The Istiqlal Mosque, located on Jalan Taman Wijaya Kusuma, Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, has a maximum capacity of around 200,000 to 250,000 people. The Eid al-Adha committee estimates that the number of pilgrims this year ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 people, similar to previous years.

For pedestrians, access is available through Al-Fattah Gate and As-Salam I and II Gate near the Juanda Bus Stop. Meanwhile, pilgrims who come in private vehicles are directed to enter through Al-Aziz and Al-Mukmin gates opposite SMPN 4, Jalan Perwira.

A number of additional parking bags were also provided, including in the courtyard of the Ministry of Religion, Banteng Field, Post Office/Pos Bloc, old Pertamina office building, behind the TNI AD building, and the Cathedral Church area.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to perform Eid prayers at this state mosque. A number of state officials are also scheduled to attend, including the Minister of Religion, Minister of State Secretary, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, and Chairman of the MPR RI.

Since 03.30 WIB, all mosque gates have been opened to welcome the congregation. Many of them take advantage of the time to perform the congregational Fajr prayer, in order to find a strategic place in the mosque.

The series of worshipes is scheduled to start at 07.00 WIB. The one acting as imam was Ahmad Muzzakir Abdurrahman, a memorizer of the Qur'an who had won the third best ranking in ASEAN and Asia Pacific in 2010. The announcement will be delivered by Raden Intan Lampung State Islamic University Chancellor, Wan Jamaluddin Z, with the theme "The value of sacrifice and sincerity in Eid al-Adha".

Security around the mosque is carried out in an integrated manner by elements of the TNI, Polri, and internal security officers of the mosque.

Congregants appear to be wearing their best clothes, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere that is typical of celebrating this Muslim holiday.