Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta Prepares Extensive Ramadan Program
Jakarta’s iconic Istiqlal Mosque is set to host a diverse array of special programs throughout the holy month of Ramadan this year. The Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, who also serves as the Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, confirmed that these activities will encompass worship, educational initiatives, and social services, all designed to be accessible to the broader community.
“God willing, we will have several routine activities. Among these routine activities, the Tarawih prayer stands out,” stated Nasaruddin during a press conference held at Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (18/2).
30 Juz Tarawih and International Qaris
The Tarawih prayers at Istiqlal Mosque will continue their cherished tradition of reciting the entire 30 juz (parts) of the Holy Quran until the end of Ramadan. To ensure comfort during prolonged standing, each page of the Quran will be divided into three sections for recitation, as Nasaruddin clarified. “The Tarawih prayer involves reciting 30 juz until the end of Ramadan. However, each page is divided into three parts, so worshippers do not have to stand for an excessively long time,” he explained.
He further added that the prayers would be led by a selection of distinguished imams, including former world champions in Quranic recitation. Each night, two imams will take turns leading the 20 cycles (rak’ahs) of Tarawih prayer, concluding with three cycles of Witr prayer.
Before the Tarawih prayers commence, internationally renowned Qaris (Quran reciters) will perform in rotation throughout Ramadan. Following the Isha prayer and the recitation of sacred Quranic verses, religious lectures or short sermons (kultum) will be delivered to the congregation.
Iftar for Up to 10,000 People
The communal iftar (breaking of the fast) program will also be held daily, accommodating a large number of worshippers. On weekends, the number of individuals receiving meal boxes can reach an impressive 7,000 to 10,000 people. On regular weekdays, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people are served. “On weekends, for instance, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, we provide meal boxes for between 7,000 and 10,000 people. On regular weekdays, this number is around 4,000 to 5,000 people,” Nasaruddin elaborated.
Furthermore, the spiritual seclusion (I’tikaf) during the last 10 days of Ramadan is anticipated to draw immense crowds, filling all floors of the mosque. Nasaruddin noted that, based on previous years’ experiences, the number of I’tikaf participants often surpasses the attendance during the early Tarawih prayers. He highlighted this unique characteristic of Istiqlal: “While other mosques typically see full attendance during the first week of Ramadan, gradually decreasing towards the last 10 days, Istiqlal becomes increasingly crowded towards the end, resembling the atmosphere in Mecca and Medina.”
Quran Completion and Children’s Storytelling
Throughout Ramadan, the mosque will also host Quran completion ceremonies (khataman Al-Quran) led by groups of women, running from morning until evening. In addition to adult programs, a variety of engaging activities for children, such as religious storytelling sessions, are routinely organized and prove to be very popular among families. “Here, we also have khataman Quran for women, from morning until evening. Besides that, there are many activities for young children. Many children truly enjoy the storytelling,” Nasaruddin remarked.
Free Language Courses
Istiqlal Mosque continues its tradition of offering a wide range of free language courses. These include popular languages such as English, Mandarin, Arabic, Persian, and French, alongside Indonesian for foreign speakers, and even ancient languages like Hebrew and Aramaic. “And all of them, God willing, are free. We’ve found that many people participate, and impressively, they are taught by native speakers,” Nasaruddin revealed.
Special Facilities for People with Disabilities
The mosque management, according to Nasaruddin, is deeply committed to providing special attention and facilities for people with disabilities. Dedicated lifts, accessible toilets, and a designated prayer area in the front row of the upper floor are available for individuals who are visually impaired or hearing impaired. “What is most striking about Istiqlal is its special consideration for people with disabilities. In the top front row, we prepare spaces for those with disabilities, whether they are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or have other needs. We ensure they have a suitable place,” he affirmed. For iftar, the management also provides specific arrangements to ensure they do not have to navigate crowded areas.
Education for Female Religious Scholars
In the realm of education, Istiqlal Mosque, in collaboration with Universitas PTIQ Jakarta, operates a comprehensive Scholar Cadre Education program. This program includes a unique and specialized format specifically designed for training female religious scholars (Ulama Perempuan). “And most uniquely, there is a program for Female Scholar Cadres. This means that in the future, Indonesia will not only have male scholars but also a structured program for training female scholars,” Nasaruddin explained.
This innovative program has garnered significant appreciation from the leadership of Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt. “They have even expressed their desire to emulate our education format here and implement it at Al-Azhar,” he added, highlighting the program’s international recognition.
Presidential and Vice Presidential Suites
As a state mosque, Istiqlal boasts dedicated facilities, including special rooms for the President and Vice President. Nasaruddin mentioned that these rooms have been utilized multiple times for various state functions and official events. “Here, there are also rooms for the President, for the Vice President, and a very comfortable meeting room for the President. Mr. Prabowo himself has entered that room several times. They truly enjoy it. During events at Istiqlal, they feel ‘at home,’ able to change clothes, receive guests, and so on,” he concluded, emphasizing the mosque’s significant role in national affairs.
Summary
Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta is set to host an extensive array of programs for Ramadan, encompassing worship, education, and social services. These include daily Tarawih prayers featuring the recitation of all 30 juz led by international Qaris, and communal iftar serving 4,000 to 10,000 worshippers daily. The mosque also anticipates significant crowds for I’tikaf during the last 10 days of Ramadan, a unique trend where attendance increases towards the end of the month.
Beyond traditional worship, Istiqlal offers free language courses, Quran completion ceremonies led by women, and engaging storytelling for children. The mosque provides special facilities for people with disabilities, ensuring accessibility and comfort. Furthermore, it runs an innovative program for educating female religious scholars, which has received international recognition, and maintains dedicated facilities for state officials like the President and Vice President.