Read Prayers During The Independence Ceremony Of The Republic Of Indonesia, Minister Of Religion: Strengthen Our Body And Souls To Protect The Beauty Of The Country

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas (Presidential Secretariat Youtube)

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas reads a prayer at the 76th Indonesian Independence Day Commemoration Ceremony at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday, August 17.

In his prayer, Yaqut hopes that leaders and citizens of the nation will be given the sensitivity to capture and be grateful for the beauty of independence, life, humanity, simplicity, beauty of compassion, mutual love, and the beauty of wisdom and justice.

"Bless us, our leaders, and our nation, the ability to be grateful for Your grace in beautiful attitudes that You please. Save our souls from the stains that tarnish the beauty of our dignity," he said while offering a prayer as shown on Presidential Secretariat YouTube, Tuesday, August 17th.

"Strengthen our body and soul, to maintain the beauty of our country," he added.

In this state ceremony, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was present and acted as the ceremony inspector. This activity was held on a limited basis considering the COVID-19 pandemic was still happening.

In addition, the ceremony was attended by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who acted as readers of the text of the proclamation.

Furthermore, the Tangguh Indonesian Troops Team served as the Heritage Flag Raising Troop (Paskibraka). According to a written statement from the Presidential Secretariat, Ardelia Muthia Zahwa will act as the flag bearer. He is a representative from North Sumatra Province who was born on December 6, 2004 in Tebing Tinggi and studied at SMA Harapan I Medan.

The other three from Group 8 who were tasked with raising the flag were Aditya Yogi Susanto as Commander of Group 8 representing Gorontalo Province, Dika Ambiya Rahman as flag bearer representing West Java Province, and Ridho Hadfizar Armadhani as flag hoist representing Lampung Province.

Meanwhile, Colonel Pnb. Putu Sucahyadi was appointed Commander of the Commemoration Ceremony of the Seconds of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The man who was born in Denpasar, October 9, 1977, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1999. He currently serves as Asops Kosekhanudnas II Makassar.

Next, acting as the Paskibraka Company Commander was Captain Inf Suryadi Nataatmaja. Currently, the man who graduated from the Military Academy in 2012 is serving as Danki Air Pandu Denpandutaikam Para Raiders 18/2 Kostrad.

Acting as Ceremonial Officer was Brigadier General Novi Helmy Prasetya. Born in Bangkalan, 10 November 1971, currently serves as Chief of Staff of the Permanent Garrison I/Jakarta. He graduated from the Military Academy in 1993.

For information, the members of the 2021 Paskibraka come from representatives of each province in Indonesia and have been inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on Thursday, August 12 at the Merdeka Palace courtyard, Jakarta. A total of 68 youths have said the Pledge of Indonesian Sons and are ready to carry out their duties.