The Indonesian Muslim Journalists Union (SAJID) together with the AQL\nIslamic Center launched a social movement distributing 81,000 free meal\npackages and 81,000 basic food parcels to welcome the 81st Anniversary\nof the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. The programme, valued\nat approximately Rp14 billion, runs for 11 days, from 7 to 17 August\n2026.<\/p>\n
The movement commenced in front of the AQL Islamic Center in Tebet,\nSouth Jakarta, on Friday (7\/8\/2026). Since morning, hundreds of online\nmotorcycle taxi drivers, bajaj and public minivan drivers, informal\nworkers, and local residents arrived to receive free breakfast\npackages.<\/p>\n
Among them was Indra, an online motorcycle taxi driver. Before\nstarting his work looking for passengers, he received a food package for\nbreakfast. For workers whose income depends on daily orders, a packet of\nfood means an expense that can be saved. \u2018I am happy to get this free\nfood. It is helpful for breakfast before I start picking up passengers.\nI hope activities like this continue because they really help us,\u2019 said\nIndra.<\/p>\n
SAJID Chairman Ustaz Bachtiar Nasir stated the programme was\ndeliberately linked to the age of Indonesia\u2019s independence. The number\n81 was realised through the distribution of 81,000 food packages and\n81,000 basic food parcels. However, according to Bachtiar, the message\nintended goes beyond the numerical symbol. The commemoration of\nindependence, he said, should be a momentum to look back at the extent\nto which society has felt the meaning of independence in daily life,\nincluding in meeting the most basic need: food.<\/p>\n
\u2018SAJID, in the context of 81 years of the Independence of the\nRepublic of Indonesia, is organising a programme of 81,000 food packages\nand 81,000 basic food parcels. To fellow journalists, let us join and\nwork together. Independence is food sovereignty in our hands.\nIndependence is when everyone can eat. Independence!\u2019 said Bachtiar.<\/p>\n
Bachtiar stated that independence should not only be present in\nceremonies, flag hoisting, or various events leading up to 17 August.\nIndependence, according to him, needs to be translated into actions\nwhose benefits can be felt directly by the community. Food is one of the\nfundamental aspects of this interpretation. Therefore, SAJID and the AQL\nIslamic Center chose the act of sharing food and basic necessities as\npart of the commemoration of 81 years of Indonesia\u2019s independence. \u2018This\nprogramme is part of our efforts to strengthen food security while\nfostering a spirit of sharing and mutual cooperation within society. The\nbenefits of independence must be felt by all Indonesian people,\u2019 said\nBachtiar.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bachtiar-nasir-independence-cannot-be-commemorated-with-ceremony-alone-1786240365", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }