1,300 Massive Rebana Players Enliven Evening Worship Gathering at Bundaran HI
The area around Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI) in Central Jakarta was filled with the resonant sounds of Islamic salutations and percussion from 1,300 rebana players echoing along the pavements on Friday afternoon (27 February).
This occurred as the Jakarta provincial government officially launched its “Kick off Jakarta Ramadan Festival” series through a massive rebana performance that provided soothing melodies for pedestrians observing the evening pre-sunset meal gathering to welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H.
The celebration of the sacred month for Muslims was designed not merely as a ceremonial agenda, but also as an interactive space to unite the nation’s capital.
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung revealed that the initiative to gather thousands of rebana players in the heart of the capital aimed to bring collective joy without diminishing the spiritual value of worship.
“I must be honest—I want to convey celebration in welcoming this month of Ramadan. Reverence comes first, devotion comes first. But let us not forget, people must also be happy,” Pramono said at Bundaran HI.
“And I am confident that everyone invited here will definitely be happy. Have you ever played rebana at Bundaran HI before?” Pramono asked the residents gathered there.
The thousands of rebana players filling this iconic area of the capital did not come from just one group. They were a combination of Islamic school students, hadroh communities from various regions, and representatives from hadroh cultural centres throughout Jakarta.
The festive performance felt especially special with full band accompaniment provided by religious musician Haddad Alwi.
The Jakarta provincial government recognises that Ramadan always brings a different dimension to metropolitan life. Amidst the fast-paced routines and activities of Jakarta residents, this sacred month presents a pause to create a reflective atmosphere.
Beyond this, Ramadan becomes a crucial moment to strengthen togetherness, care, and social solidarity amongst residents. Through the Jakarta Ramadan Festival, the fasting month momentum is leveraged to provide a positive public interaction space.
Pramono hopes this activity will not merely pass as an annual ceremonial event, but rather be able to bring the public together in a meaningful collective experience.