Diaspora Celebrate Eid al-Adha Prayer with President Prabowo

The Indonesian diaspora in Paris found this year’s Eid al-Adha celebrations particularly special. They had the opportunity to perform congregational Eid prayers directly alongside President Prabowo Subianto at the Indonesian Residence on Wednesday (27 June) local time.

According to an official statement from the Government Communication Bureau released in Jakarta, the event served as a crucial platform to strengthen familial bonds and unity among Indonesian citizens residing abroad.

Early in the morning, enthusiasm was evident as Indonesian citizens and the diaspora filled the Indonesian Residence grounds. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, with President Prabowo taking time after the prayers to personally greet and converse with attendees.

Dini Indriyani, a diaspora member who has lived in Paris for 15 years, expressed her joy, stating that praying alongside the head of state created a deeply emotional experience. ‘Praying with the President makes me feel like part of the Republic of Indonesia’s extended family,’ she said. Dini also prayed for Indonesia’s continued prosperity, President Prabowo’s health in leading the nation, and stronger bilateral ties between Indonesia and France.

Similarly, Azrina, another diaspora, described the experience as rare and precious. ‘This is an extraordinary opportunity as the President is on an official visit and could meet Indonesian citizens in France during Eid al-Adha,’ she said. Azrina hoped for the President’s wisdom in governance and urged fellow Indonesian diaspora in France to maintain unity.

For younger diaspora in Paris, such as Shafa and Jelita, the moment was unforgettable. They described feeling a mix of nervousness and pride at meeting President Prabowo in person. ‘I was quite nervous but extremely happy and honoured. Usually, I only see him on TV, but now I can meet him directly,’ they said.

Eid al-Adha occurs annually not just to repeat rituals, but to awaken hearts often forgotten amidst worldly busyness.

The Eid al-Adha prayer led by Ustaz Sahid Darajat carried the theme ‘Eid al-Adha: A Moment of Sacrifice to Weave Togetherness and Compassion for Fellow Humans’.

The 1447 Hijriah Eid al-Adha prayer held at a tourist spot was conducted in accordance with government regulations on Wednesday (27 May).