Eid al-Adha at Istiqlal: Gus Ipul Urges Public to Prioritise Tabayun Amid Hate Speech

Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) urged the public to prioritise tabayun and self-control amid rampant hate speech and the flood of information in public spaces. The message was delivered by Gus Ipul after attending the 1447 Hijriah Eid al-Adha prayer at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. He stated that the Eid al-Adha occasion serves as a crucial reminder to strengthen humanitarian values and social civility. ‘I was able to listen to the sermon delivered by Professor Hamdan Juhannis. One of the notable points he made, which is worth reflecting on, is that in human relations, patience takes on a different form. Patience is not merely suppressing anger, but the ability to understand before passing judgment,’ said Gus Ipul. He added that in the face of spreading misinformation and hate speech, the public should refrain from retaliating or assuming they are always right, but instead make space for other perspectives. Gus Ipul also urged people to always prioritise tabayun (clarification) and to verify information before sharing. ‘Patience is civility amidst unchecked expression and the art of self-control in an impatient world. This is particularly relevant as we reflect on life in the midst of extraordinary technological advancements,’ he explained. In line with this, Minister of Religion and Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, said the Eid al-Adha sermon underscored the importance of respecting every individual regardless of profession, rank, or position. ‘Every person and profession has its own strengths and weaknesses. Do not underestimate fishermen, for instance. Despite their seemingly humble status, they can be remarkable, as highlighted by the preacher—even professors acknowledge the prowess of fishermen,’ Nasaruddin explained. He added that humans are not only judged by their devotion to Allah SWT, but also by their concern for the environment and fellow beings. ‘We cannot be perfect servants if our environment is degraded. Everything must align. These three dimensions—hablum minallah (relationship with God), hablum ma’al makhlukat (relationship with creation), and hablum minannas (relationship with fellow humans)—encompass our connections with the Divine, the universe, and humanity,’ Nasaruddin said. Earlier, Social Minister Gus Ipul arrived at the National Mosque at 6:12 am WIB, wearing white Muslim attire with a black cap and sarong. He arrived in an energy-efficient electric vehicle branded with the Sekolah Rakyat logo. The Eid al-Adha prayer commenced at 7:00 am WIB, with Professor Hamdan Juhannis, Rector of Alauddin State Islamic University (UIN) Makassar and a McGill University alumnus, delivering the sermon. In his sermon titled ‘Strengthening the Spirit of Sacrifice, Caring for the Environment and Humanity’, Hamdan reminded that the sacrifice ritual is not merely a religious act but also a demonstration of concern for the environment and fellow humans. The prayer was led by Ahmad Anshoruddin Ibrahim, the permanent imam of Istiqlal Mosque, with Muh. Syawal Mubarok serving as the bilal. Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and several members of the Merah Putih Cabinet attended, including Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, and DPD RI Chairman Sultan Najamuddin. Representatives from friendly nations and hundreds of thousands of worshippers were also present.