Govt Holds National Zikir Akbar
President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla attend the National Zikir Akbar (mass chants in praise of Allah) adopting a theme To be Grateful for the Independence at the State Palaces Field, Jakarta, on Tuesday (1/8)
As part of a series of special events to commemorate Indonesia’s 72nd Independence Day, the Government conducted an unprecedented National Zikir Akbar (mass chants in praise of Allah).
The event, which adopts the theme To be Grateful for the Independence was held at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday (1/8). The event also serves as the opening program as part of a series of programs in the Commemoration of Indonesia’s 72nd Independence Day to be held for the whole month.
During the Zikir Akbar, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said that the ulama (muslim scholars) attending the event are not only from Java, but also from Aceh, Manado, Nusa Tenggara, Bali, Kalimantan, Maluku, Papua, and other regions in Indonesia.
On this auspicious day, let us pray for the spirits of our people who fought for the country, the founders of the nation, kyai (Islamic teachers), ulama, habaib, religious figures, and local figures from all over Indonesia who have given great contribution to our nation and country, the President said.
Through this years celebration, the President called on all the people attending the event to affirm the commitment in maintaining the unity, harmony and tolerance, as well as cooperation and synergy between ulama and umaro (religious clerics) for the progress of Indonesia.
Unity, harmony, and cooperation are the values of Indonesia. With Pancasila (the Five Principles, the Indonesian State Philosophy) as the basic ideology of Indonesia, we will be able to respect other groups. With Pancasila, Indonesia as a very pluralistic country, can be united and the people can live in harmony, respect each others, and cooperate, President Jokowi added.
According to the President, the zikir is a part of ikhtiar (attempt) because in the end our hard work depend on the will of Allah the Almighty; thus hard work should be coupled with prayers. We performed zikir and prayer so that Allah the Creator may grant our wishes, President Jokowi concluded.
Also attending the event were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Indonesian National Defense Forces Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, Indonesian National Police Chief Tito Karnavian, Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Chairman KH. Prof. Dr. Maruf Amin, KH. Maimoen Zubair, and KH Miftahul Ahyar. (FID/JAY/ES) (RA/EP/YM/Naster)
