The date of 13 July has been officially designated as Belief in the\nOne and Only God Day. The designation was made by Minister of Culture\nFadli Zon at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta, together\nwith the Indonesian Supreme Council for Belief in the One and Only God\n(MLKI), on Monday (6\/7\/2026).<\/p>\n
Fadli Zon said the designation is a responsibility arising from the\nmandate of the law and the constitution. That constitutional mandate is\nset out in Article 32 paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, which reads:\n\u201cThe State shall advance Indonesia\u2019s national culture in the midst of\nworld civilisation by guaranteeing the freedom of society to maintain\nand develop its cultural values.\u201d<\/p>\n
He noted that Law Number 5 of 2017 on the Advancement of Culture also\nserves as one of the legal foundations for the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe designation of Belief in the One and Only God Day reminds us all\nthat Indonesia is built upon a foundation of diversity, tolerance and\nrespect for the dignity of every citizen,\u201d Fadli said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd as has been repeatedly stated, the state is present to ensure\nthat every citizen has an equal space to practise their beliefs,\npreserve traditions and pass on noble values to the next generation.\nThis designation also reflects the government\u2019s commitment to fulfilling\nthe rights of followers of indigenous belief systems,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Is 13 July a public holiday?<\/p>\n
The date of 13 July was chosen for Belief in the One and Only God Day\nbecause of its historical significance, one being the session of the\nInvestigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence\n(BPUPKI).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe designation of 13 July is a historic one, because it is linked\nto the great session of 13 July 1945, when our constitution was being\ndeliberated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Following the designation of 13 July as Belief in the One and Only\nGod Day, Fadli has not yet decided whether the date will become a\nnational holiday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough if it were offered, many would certainly want it, but the\nholiday could perhaps later, if it is pursued, be made optional. In any\ncase, we see this as an important step, particularly as a form of\nrecognition and a milestone proposed by MLKI, which brings together more\nthan 100 organisations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As such, there is no definitive decision yet on whether 13 July,\nwhich coincides with Belief in the One and Only God Day, will be a\npublic holiday or not.<\/p>\n
Proposed since 2005<\/p>\n
The Director-General of Cultural Protection and Traditions, Restu\nGunawan, said the designation of Belief in the One and Only God Day went\nthrough a long process. He noted that MLKI first submitted the proposal\nin 2005.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, to the Minister, I report that discussions on the proposal for\nBelief in the One and Only God Day have been under way since 2005. Since\n2005. So, alhamdulillah, under the Minister\u2019s leadership, followers of\nindigenous beliefs can now have their own Belief Day,\u201d Restu said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese discussions involved followers of indigenous belief systems\nand various belief organisations under the Indonesian Supreme Council\nfor Belief in the One and Only God (MLKI), facilitated by the\nDirectorate of Belief in the One and Only God and Indigenous\nCommunities,\u201d he added.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/is-13-july-a-public-holiday-heres-the-explanation-1783684414", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }