Eid Prayers at Istiqlal Expected to Attract Over 500,000 Worshippers

Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar estimated that Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah prayers at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta were attended by more than 500,000 people. According to Nasaruddin, this year’s Eid worshippers at Istiqlal overflowed, filling the mosque’s courtyard because no space was available inside.

Nasaruddin stated that the main building of Istiqlal Mosque has a capacity of more than 250,000 people. “Earlier, even those at the bottom couldn’t enter, so it was probably over 500,000 (worshippers),” said Nasaruddin after Eid prayers at Istiqlal on Saturday, 21 March 2026.

Nasaruddin also invited the public to express gratitude for being able to celebrate Lebaran in Indonesia. According to him, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr in the country is among the best compared to other nations.

Nasaruddin claimed that foreign nationals also enjoyed Lebaran in Indonesia. “So, foreigners enjoy Lebaran in Indonesia the most. It’s peaceful, with no threats of any kind,” said the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque.

Several officials attended Eid al-Fitr prayers at Istiqlal Mosque. Among them were Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani.

This year’s Eid al-Fitr prayers at Istiqlal were not attended by President Prabowo Subianto. The Head of State chose to visit disaster-affected areas during this Lebaran moment. He performed Eid prayers at Darussalam Mosque in Aceh Tamiang, located in a temporary housing area for residents impacted by floods and landslides that occurred in Sumatra at the end of last year.

Prabowo was accompanied by several state officials during Eid prayers in Aceh. They included Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

Teddy stated that Prabowo visited Aceh Tamiang during this Lebaran to also check the progress of post-flood disaster handling in the area. “We all flew to Aceh, performed Eid prayers there with the people of Aceh in particular. And while doing so, we also checked,” said Teddy as quoted by Antara on Saturday, 21 March 2026.

Teddy explained that President Prabowo performed congregational Eid prayers at a location near the evacuation site for disaster victims. After Eid prayers, Prabowo will receive reports on the latest developments in disaster handling in Aceh from Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian and Public Works Minister Dody Hanggono, who arrived in Tamiang earlier.

President Prabowo began his Eid al-Fitr holiday itinerary on Friday, 20 March 2026. He arrived in Medan, North Sumatra, on Friday afternoon to perform the night of takbiran, then departed for Aceh on Saturday morning.