Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration and Introduction of the MUI Leadership for the 2025-2030 Term
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Alhamdulillahirrabbilalamin, wassalatu wassalamu’ala ashrafil anbiya i wal-mursalin, Sayidina wa habibina wa syafiina wa maulana Muhammaddin, wa’ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in amma ba’du.
Let us express our gratitude and praise to Almighty Allah, to Whom we pray and seek help. We are blessed that we are still granted health and blessings. Our nation is still blessed with peace, even as we still have challenges and difficulties. We pray for our brothers and sisters who are enduring trials to be granted strength and swift recovery to live well. We also extend our salutations and greetings upon the Great Prophet Muhammad, Messenger of Allah, who has bestowed upon us religion and civilization until the end of time.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
General Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Muhammad Anwar Iskandar, along with all MUI leaders and executives;
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Nusron Wahid, as Chairperson of the Organizing Committee;
Minister of Religious Affairs, who also serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Great Imam Deliberation Council of Istiqlal Mosque, Prof. Dr. H. Nasaruddin Umar, together with all members of the MUI Deliberation Council, Chairperson of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani;
Distinguished the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Hajj Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, who also serves as General Chairperson of the Indonesian Mosque Council;
Coordinating ministers, ministers, heads of agency, Attorney General, TNI Commander, Chief of the Indonesian National Police, and all members of the Red and White Cabinet;
There are 46 officials in attendance. I will not mention all one by one to save time.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the invitation extended to me today to attend the Inauguration and Introduction of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Leadership for the 2025-2030 Term. This is a special occasion, held at the Istiqlal Mosque, the grand mosque of the Indonesian Muslim community, which symbolizes national unity, the spirit of the nation to become an independent, sovereign, dignified country that stands on its own feet and aspires to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other nations of the world. This mosque also embodies the Indonesian nation’s commitment to protecting its people, the people of Indonesia.
Once again, thank you. Today I truly feel both happy and honored. Today symbolizes the unity of ulema and umara. When ulema and umara are united, our nation will grow into a great and prosperous nation. Throughout the history of human civilization, peace has always been the foundation of a successful and prosperous nation. And peace can only be achieved through the unity of ulema and umara.
Alhamdulillah, today I am proud to serve as President of the Republic of Indonesia. I feel deeply honored. My sincere gratitude goes to the MUI for the support it has given me, particularly the courage to fulfill my duties as President of the Republic of Indonesia – an office mandated by the people through appointment, election, and oath – to defend the interests of all Indonesians. Thank you.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The MUI has always played a very significant and decisive role in the life of the nation and state. The MUI has consistently served as a pillar of stability, a pillar of tranquility, a pillar of harmony, and a pillar of tolerance among all faiths and all religions. The MUI has never been absent whenever the nation faces difficulties. Just recently, we witnessed the MUI’s presence from the very first days of the disasters that struck several regions in our country, including Aceh, West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and other provinces. The MUI has never been absent during the nation’s trying times.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me once again extend my highest appreciation and respect to the role and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the MUI. May the newly elected MUI leaders continue to dedicate themselves to the ummah and to the entire Indonesian nation. Once again, today symbolizes the unity of ulema and umara in the Republic of Indonesia, and this unity is a strong foundation for the resurgence of the Indonesian nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We acknowledge that our nation still faces many challenges. We must remain firmly committed to eradicating poverty from the land of Indonesia. We must not be afraid, we must not waver, we must not be timid. We must have the courage to act, and together we will succeed in eliminating poverty from our country. The Almighty has bestowed upon the Indonesian people extraordinary wealth.
After I was inaugurated as President, I examined the data and discovered extraordinary facts about our nation’s wealth. Our wealth is truly remarkable. The Almighty has bestowed upon us an exceptional blessing. However, there is a problem. The question is whether we are capable of safeguarding and managing that wealth. Are we capable? Are we bold enough to protect that wealth, brave enough to face difficulties, and honest enough to acknowledge that this nation still has many difficulties and weaknesses?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I call upon the entire nation, the entire people, especially our leaders. Here today, before the MUI and before all of you, I once again appeal and remind us all. We must safeguard this republic, safeguard our nation’s wealth, and bravely eradicate corruption from the land of Indonesia. This is no small task. Every time we strive to fight it, every time we enforce punishment, uphold justice, and enforce the law, these corrupt groups – those robber groups and thieves – strike back. They constantly seek to create unrest and to pit us against one another. because they do not want a clean government in the Republic of Indonesia.
However, I have been sworn in before the people. I have been sworn to uphold the law, to uphold our Constitution, to uphold all our legislation. Therefore, I will not hesitate, and I will not retreat. And today, I wish to thank the MUI for giving me the courage. I am now even more determined and convinced that when ulema and umara stand united, we will uphold justice in the land of Indonesia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We recall the verse from Surah Ar-Ra’d, ayah 11, in which Allah subhanu wa ta’ala reminds us that He will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves. Therefore, today the ulema and umara declare their unity under the theme proclaimed on this occasion: “United in Munajat for the Salvation of the Nation.”
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This theme is highly appropriate and speaks directly to the challenges we face as a nation. The salvation of the nation can only be achieved if we unite, if we put an end to mutual suspicion among us, if we let go of past differences, if we eradicate hatred. Differences are good, competition is good, but after competing, let us come together – unite, unite, and unite in munajat, unite for the salvation of the nation. We respect everyone, respect all faiths, respect all communities. That is the example set by the Indonesian ulema.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We now stand as an example to the entire world: a peaceful Muslim community, a community that does not spread hatred, a community that prioritizes peace, and a community unafraid to uphold justice.
I will conclude my remarks on this occasion. Congratulations to the newly elected Indonesian Ulema Council. The entire Indonesian ummah and the entire Indonesian people await your dedication and hope that the MUI will remain steadfast and resolute.
And today, I am pleased to announce that as President of the Republic of Indonesia, I have allocated a parcel of land measuring approximately 4,000 square meters in front of Bundaran HI in Jakarta for the construction of a building for MUI and other Islamic community institutions, such as the National Zakat Agency and other organizations, including Islamic mass organizations in need of space. We will construct a forty-story building on this site. This initiative responds to a request made several months ago by the Grand Imam of Istiqlal, Prof. Nasaruddin.
He also conveyed this request in his capacity as Minister of Religious Affairs, saying, “Sir, the current location of MUI office is unclear. Even I, do not know precisely where the MUI office is. But soon, the offices of Islamic institutions will be located at the very heart of the capital Jakarta. At Bundaran HI, there should not only be luxury hotels and malls. There will be a building dedicated to Islamic community institutions. If I am not mistaken, a community fund management agency will also be established. I was informed by Minister of Religious Affairs that if all community funds are properly managed, the amount could reach at least Rp500 trillion per year. With ulema and umara united, we will witness the resurgence of the Indonesian nation. Thank you.
And as we soon enter the holy month of Ramadan, let us strengthen our unity and resolve and continue to pray that our nation remains under the protection of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. May the Indonesian nation be kept away from division and disasters, may we be able to resolve all differences peacefully through deliberation to consensus.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Once again, thank you for the successful organization of this noble event, and may Allah subhanu wa ta’ala always bestow His mercy and blessing upon our nation and all the people of Indonesia. I wish the MUI every success in its work and its service to the nation, the ummah, and all the Indonesian people.
Thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(EST/EP)