Istiqlal Mosque will once again hold its regular programme of\nactivities during the holy month of Ramadan, ranging from communal iftar\nmeals, tarawih prayers with international Quran reciters, religious\nstudy sessions, and iktikaf (spiritual retreat). \u201cGod willing, we will\nhave a number of routine activities,\u201d said the Grand Imam of Istiqlal,\nNasaruddin Umar, at the mosque on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.<\/p>\n
One of the principal items on the agenda is tarawih prayers, preceded\nby recitations from international qari (Quran reciters). The reciters\nwill appear on a rotating basis through to the end of Ramadan. Following\nthe prayers, the mosque\u2019s organisers will present speakers drawn from\nprominent ulama as well as public figures known for their\nreligiosity.<\/p>\n
Istiqlal is also preparing a Nuzulul Quran (Revelation of the Quran)\ncommemoration involving MABIMS member states \u2014 Indonesia, Malaysia,\nBrunei Darussalam, and Singapore. According to Nasaruddin, the Eid\nal-Fitr takbir is planned to be performed simultaneously and in relay\nwith grand mosques across Southeast Asian capital cities.<\/p>\n
The mosque is also maintaining its tradition of large-scale communal\niftar. At weekends, the number of meals prepared for iftar reaches\nbetween 7,000 and 10,000 portions per day. On weekdays, approximately\n4,000 to 5,000 worshippers receive boxed rice meals.<\/p>\n
Another regular activity is the khataman Al-Quran (complete\nrecitation of the Quran) by female congregants, running from morning\nuntil night. The final ten nights of Ramadan are also devoted to iktikaf\nwhich, according to Nasaruddin, draws even larger crowds than tarawih.\n\u201cOn the odd nights, it is full right up to the fifth floor,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The iktikaf programme begins with night prayers, tasbih prayers,\nfollowed by reflection and contemplation together. Congregants then have\nsahur (pre-dawn meal) together before performing the Subuh prayer and\nattending religious lectures and discussions.<\/p>\n
Beyond Ramadan worship activities, Istiqlal continues to run free\neducational programmes, including courses in English, Mandarin, Arabic,\nPersian, French, and Indonesian for foreign speakers. Classes in Hebrew\nand Aramaic are even available. Nasaruddin noted that the instructors\nare native speakers brought in directly from the countries of origin of\neach language.<\/p>\n
Activities for children are also held, including a regular\nstorytelling programme that consistently attracts families.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere this Ramadan is somewhat different, as it coincides\nwith Chinese New Year celebrations. Nasaruddin observed that the Chinese\nNew Year decorations in the area surrounding the mosque also lend a\nRamadan ambience, as a form of interfaith tolerance. \u201cThis is a very\nfine example of tolerance,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With this programme of activities, Istiqlal once again positions\nitself not merely as a place of worship, but also as a centre for social\nactivity, education, and cross-cultural dialogue during the holy\nmonth.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/istiqlal-mosques-programme-of-activities-during-ramadan-1771506999", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }