Kemenag Starts to Distribute 100 Tons of Dates from Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Religion has begun distributing dates from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Indonesian people. ANTARA/HO-Kemenag

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion has begun distributing 100 tons of dates from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which were symbolically handed over by the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amudi on February 11, 2026.

"The dates of assistance from Saudi Arabia will be distributed in Ramadan 1447 H. Of the 100 tons given, 10 tons were distributed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Jakarta," said Head of the General Bureau of Aceng Abdul Azis as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 19.

Aceng said the Ministry of Religion had issued a circular from the Secretary General of the Ministry of Religion regarding the Implementation of the Distribution of Dates of Government Assistance from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2026.

The circular was issued to ensure that the distribution process runs in an orderly, targeted, transparent, and accountable manner.

In addition to through the Saudi Embassy in Jakarta, this date is also distributed through the DPR and DPD institutions. In addition, the Ministry of Religion distributes this date to pesantren, mosques, mushala, journalists, and Islamic organizations.

"So the recipients mostly also play a role in distribution or redistribution," he said.

According to Aceng, the distribution of dates is carried out based on the principles of transparency, accountability, equity, and targeted.

"How nice it would be if 100 tons could reach the people. But it feels like it's not enough. However, as a trust, we will immediately distribute this aid dates according to the target," he said.

Previously, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Jakarta launched the Together Breaking the Fast Program and the Date Gift from King Salman for Indonesian Muslims for a full month.

"This program will be held in various cities and regions in Indonesia for a full month," said the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Amudi.

Ambassador Faisal stated that the launch of the program was carried out under the direct orders of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), and in coordination with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Preaching, and Guidance of Saudi Arabia.

The program is not only implemented in Jakarta, but also in other cities such as Surabaya, Padang, Bogor, Kendari, and Makassar as well as in a number of campuses, including the University of Indonesia (UI) Depok and the State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Ciputat.