Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia during National Mass Prayers for the 76th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day,1 August 2021, Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

May peace be upon us all,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia;

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet;

Distinguished Heads of State Institutions, Governors, Regents, Mayors, Government Officials, the Indonesian National Defense Forces, and the Indonesian National Police;

Distinguished Ulema and Interfaith Leaders,

Distinguished Leaders of Religious Assemblies,

My beloved Indonesian people.

Alhamdulillah, tonight we can hold a virtual gathering to chant zikir (praise of God) and perform prayers with the spirit of togetherness in strengthening the bonds of fraternity. We are grateful to the Almighty God for His blessings and grace for the Indonesian independence.

We must always remember that the independence we enjoy today is blessings from the Almighty God, the result of heroic struggle, and the spirit of unity and togetherness of all Indonesians regardless of ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations. I believe that the fiery spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation inherited by the Indonesian founding fathers will always be a part of the soul of the Indonesian nation. It will remain with us, especially when our nation and state is facing the current trials and challenges.

Our country is now facing a complex challenge, namely COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, I call on all elements of the nation to hold each other’s hands, stay together, work together, as well as carry out concrete and inner efforts in order to tackle COVID-19 pandemic.

Ladies, Gentlemen, and My Fellow Citizens,

As a nation which believes in the Almighty God, prayer is a power to strengthen and heal the people. It is also a powerful force to arouse hopes and optimism.

Tonight, all interfaith leaders are gathering to chant zikir (praise of God), send prayers, express gratitude to the Almighty God for His blessings and grace for the Indonesian independence. At the same time, we all also ask God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful for His help so that our nation and state can immediately escape COVID-19 pandemic. We also ask Him so that we will be given the right way to continue our journey to make Indonesia more advanced.

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Ulema, religious leaders, and preachers for their contribution to call on the public to comply with health protocols, to help speed up the vaccination, as well as to guide and accompany the people to get through this current difficult situation.

May the Almighty God give all of us the way, make our steps and efforts easier to achieve victory against COVID-19 pandemic.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Om santi santi santi om. (AP/MUR)