Barru Regency Mediates Dispute Between Muhammadiyah and Mosque Management Over Viral Video of Eid Prayer Rejection

The Barru Regency government in South Sulawesi has undertaken mediation efforts to address the dispute over the use of assets at Nurut Tajdid Mosque in the BTN Pepabri Complex, which previously went viral due to allegations of rejecting Muhammadiyah congregants from performing Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday (20/3/2026). “All parties are urged to exercise restraint and prioritise unity, togetherness, and Islamic brotherhood, especially in the post-Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr momentum,” stated the Secretary of Barru Regency, Abubakar, in a press release received on Wednesday (25/3/2026). The mediation meeting, held in the Pola Room of the Regent’s Office, involved all relevant parties from the mosque management and the Muhammadiyah organisation to seek a resolution regarding claims of ownership over the land and building at the mosque, preventing the conflict from escalating. Abubakar stated that the parties agreed to pursue legal avenues to verify the validity of the matter. Both the mosque management and the Muhammadiyah organisation are permitted to present their evidence through the judicial institutions in accordance with applicable regulations. Nevertheless, the performance of worship prayers at Nurut Tajdid Mosque will continue as usual, with no prohibitions for either disputing party. He also appreciated the parties’ commitment to maintaining a conducive atmosphere by prioritising comfort and order. The Head of the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership in Barru Regency, Ahmad Jamaluddin, emphasised during the meeting that the information circulating on social media portraying Barru Regency as an intolerant area was untrue. “Barru is a highly tolerant region. What happened a few days ago was merely a miscommunication and lack of coordination among the relevant parties,” he asserted. The same sentiment was expressed by the Head of the Nurut Tajdid Mosque Management in BTN Pepabri, Suaib Arifin, who stressed the importance of preserving togetherness and not exacerbating issues that could divide the community.