From Monas, Interfaith Prayer Strengthens the Spirit of Unity Ahead of the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence

As a form of gratitude for independence, religious people gathered at the cross of Monas to pray. (Bito Pers Media Kepresidenan RI)

JAKARTA - National prayers and prayers in commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia held at the National Monument (Monas), Jakarta, on Saturday night, August 1, 2026, became a common space for religious leaders and the community to pray for the nation. The momentum also emphasizes that Indonesia's diversity is a strength that continues to be maintained through the spirit of unity, tolerance, and mutual cooperation.

The chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Romo Agustinus Heri Wibowo, Pr, considers prayer as an important foundation in the life of a nation. According to him, every effort made by the Indonesian nation needs to be based on prayer so that God's participation can be obtained.

"Prayer is the basic foundation of our lives as a religious nation. All our human efforts, cooperation between us, are based on prayer so that God will bless, bless, and perfect all the good work we have planned, and we have done, and we will do," said Romo Agustinus.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Pinandita Sanggraha Nusantara, Pinandita Gede Pastika, expressed his appreciation for the implementation of inter-religious national prayers which he considered to be a means of strengthening harmony in the midst of Indonesia's diversity.

"We represent the Hindu community, we appreciate it very much, we welcome it very well. This is how to unite all people, communities, layers of society in Indonesia to unite with this diversity into one, into a wonderful harmony," he said.

Minister of Religion NAsaruddin Umar delivers a greeting in the middle of the monas cross during a zikir and prayer event to welcome the Indonesian Independence Day. (Bito Pers Media Kepresidenan RI)

A similar view was expressed by the Deputy Secretary General of the Sangha Agung Indonesia, Bhikkhu Bhadranatha, Thera. He assessed that interreligious prayer was a reflection of Indonesia's face which was able to maintain unity and unity and live in diversity.

"To be able to maintain unity and unity that we need to maintain is the values of love in ourselves and especially the values of our Pancasila which are also quite strong that we are indeed diverse but with the love that continues to be developed will bring unity and unity with much more beautiful because this is Indonesia," he said.

From the Confucian community, the Chairman of the Indonesian Confucian Religious High Council, Xs. Budi S. Tanuwibowo, assessed that inter-religious prayer showed the world that Indonesia was able to manage diversity peacefully. He said that differences were not tools of conflict, but rather like an orchestra consisting of various musical instruments but harmoniously blended because there was one song of togetherness, namely Indonesia.

"Working with many religions in one commonality certainly confirms the first precept. Of course, then the precept of humanity that above all differences, our humanity is one. Then it is clear that unity and then we can talk to each other, we can agree, and hopefully this with togetherness can make Indonesia fair, prosperous, prosperous," said Xs. Budi.

Meanwhile, the General Chair of the Federation of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), Rev. Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty, said that the journey of the Indonesian nation cannot be separated from the prayers of all religious people. He welcomed and fully supported this inter-religious prayer ahead of the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.

"I think it's the noble values that have been put in place by the founders of the nation since the beginning of their building this nation. Not seeing anything, background of tribe, religion but standing together and I think it's a very extraordinary legacy that we must preserve and we must protect for the integrity of Indonesia in the future," said Rev. Jacklevyn.

In line with religious leaders, Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar emphasized that national remembrance and prayer are a form of gratitude for the nation's various achievements as well as an effort to ask for blessings for the future of Indonesia.

"I think it is very appropriate for us to pray and thank all our nationalities that have been maintained at a minimum with the conditions we have achieved so far, and thank God that we will continue to develop and become the epicenter of the future world civilization is Indonesia," said Nasaruddin.

Furthermore, Nasaruddin also invited all people to continue to maintain togetherness in the frame of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. According to him, Indonesia is the "most beautiful painting" that must be maintained together so that it remains a peaceful, harmonious nation, and is able to realize the ideals of independence.