Controversy Over Muhammadiyah Eid Prayer in Sukoharjo Allegedly Dissolved by Village Head, Goes Viral on Social Media

A report went viral on social media claiming that the Eid prayer in Kedungwinong Village, Nguter Subdistrict, Sukoharjo Regency, was disbanded by the village head. The issue sparked controversy, culminating in mediation at the village hall.

The information was posted by the Facebook account Website Sang Pencerah. The post featured a photo of a flyer announcing the Eid prayer at Masjid Jami’ul Khair, Kedungwinong Village, on Friday (20/3/2026) at 06:00 WIB until completion. However, the flyer had red writing stating “EID PRAYER DISBANDED BY THE HEAD OF KEDUNGWINONG VILLAGE”.

“Eid al-Fitr Prayer this morning Friday 20 March was disbanded by the Head of Kedungwinong Village, Nguter Subdistrict, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java. Through the Babinsa, intimidation was carried out against the committee, congregation, and preacher, resulting in cancellation,” read the caption of the photo as seen by detikJateng on the Website Sang Pencerah account, Friday (20/3/2026).

Additionally, screenshots circulated of a conversation from the WhatsApp group ‘GROUP IBU-IBU RW 1’ from a contact named Ngatini Miyadi.

“In the name of Allah… Apologies, ladies, I need to emphasise here that the Village Government does not permit the Eid Prayer activity at Masjid Jami’ul Khoir, Kedungwinong Hamlet, because it has been agreed that the Eid Prayer will only be held at the main village field following the Government decision, thank you ladies,” read the chat.

The news quickly spread and drew public attention. Members of Kokam in Sukoharjo Regency then visited the Kedungwinong Village Hall for clarification.

Mediation at the Village Hall

Mediation was held at the Kedungwinong Village Hall involving Kokam, Village Head Miyadi, Nguter Subdistrict Head Sukarman, and Nguter Police Sector Chief AKP Maryadi.

Commander of Kokam Sukoharjo Regency, Yusuf, stated that his visit was for tabayun (clarification) and to seek explanations regarding the circulating news.

“To those concerned, Mr Village Head, Mr Babinsa, the lady who shared it can explain,” said Yusuf during the mediation, Friday (20/6).

One resident, Joko, said that in a previous meeting, the village head requested that holiday observances not be held twice in Kedungwinong Village.

“At the time, when the village head was given the opportunity in the zakat fitrah committee coordination meeting forum, I underlined that the village head stated that the Eid prayer in Kedungwinong Village would be one implementation,” said Joko.

Committee: Prayer Cancelled, Not Disbanded

The Eid al-Fitr 1447 H Prayer Committee at Masjid Jami’ul Khoir stated that they did not receive permission from the village government to hold the prayer. This was conveyed by the Eid Prayer Committee Chairman, Zuhri.

Zuhri admitted to meeting Village Head Miyadi to inform him of the planned Eid al-Fitr prayer on Friday (20/3). However, he said he did not obtain permission.

“I met him at the mosque because he’s a busy person, sometimes going here and there. When we met at the mosque, I had already prepared the notification letter. I just said: ‘Sir, for the Muhammadiyah Eid prayer on Friday, I’m notifying you first’,” said Zuhri at the Kedungwinong Village Office, Friday (20/3/2026).

“Basically, if it’s permission, I won’t permit it. As long as I’m village head, I’ve never permitted running Eid prayers in two versions: government and Muhammadiyah, in that language,” he said.

Zuhri stated that due to no security guarantee, they decided to cancel the Eid prayer implementation.

“It hasn’t been carried out yet, but we were just preparing for community service, all accommodations and logistics were already prepared. It wasn’t stopped. I cancelled it myself because I couldn’t guarantee the safety of my congregation and their devotion due to the context from Mr Babinsa. The context is as above, if tomorrow something happens, I can’t guarantee safety and security,” he explained.

He also emphasised that the news of the prayer disbandment was untrue.

“If the news of disbandment on social media, I haven’t had time to read on Facebook or this morning I was just messaged privately, that’s wrong. I was messaged by friends ‘Is this true, Sir?’ that’s wrong. There was some inaccurate response from me. The truth is that I cancelled it because of that context, security guarantee, eh context from Mr Babinsa. So I can’t guarantee it either, whereas security alone isn’t guaranteed, let alone me,” he stressed.

Village Head: No Permission to Avoid Controversy

Village Head of Kedungwinong, Miyadi, admitted to not granting permission for the Eid al-Fitr prayer on Friday (20/3). He said the decision was based on a joint agreement at the village level.

“Why I didn’t give permission, I’m holding to the agreement, there was one before where the Village Government invited the chairmen of takmir from all prayer rooms in Kedungwinong Village, agreeing to follow the government this year, the day is Saturday, one row, that’s what was agreed,” he said.

“So I don’t dare give permission, I’m worried that if I give permission, there will be controversy later. But I allow you to pray-pray and I won’t disband it,” he concluded.

Miyadi explained that the agreement involved the Village Government, LP2A, and takmir of mosques and prayer rooms throughout Kedungwinong Village.

“We from the village government are only implementing the agreement, the musyawarah agreement of the Village Government, LP2A, Mosque Takmir, Prayer Rooms throughout Kedungwinong Village that in Kedungwinong there are no double prayer activities,” he said.

He stated that the agreement has been longstanding and continuously applied.

“Every time there’s an activity, we deliberate. So last fasting month, I forget the date, this fasting month LP2A held a meeting and that’s the agreement. However, this agreement is a relay from long ago, from the previous administration. Long before, indeed in Kedungwinong it was like that,” he explained.

“Yeah, I forget how many years, but previously it was indeed like that, the agreement. Earlier, the senior village head was present, it was like that in the past too, the agreement,” he revealed.

After the mediation, they stated they would conduct an evaluation and open the possibility of holding prayers more than once.

“We also guarantee that if it happens twice, I remain responsible for securing it. We have no prohibition at all. Yes, I will evaluate it. LP2A is present today, present today.”