Fadli Zon Explains Why Prabowo Did Not Attend Eid al-Adha Prayers in Indonesia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesian Culture Minister Fadli Zon stated that President Prabowo Subianto did not attend Eid al-Adha prayers in Indonesia as he was on a state visit to France. Fadli said Indonesia and France currently enjoy positive and mutually beneficial relations across various sectors. ‘Yes, last year it was here (at Istiqlal). This year coincidentally falls during a state visit, yes. So we can be anywhere, not necessarily here,’ Fadli Zon said at Istiqlal Mosque on Wednesday. He added that Prabowo’s visit to France is related to the evolving global geopolitical situation. ‘I think this is all connected—both for bilateral relations and the global geopolitical context,’ he said. Previously, President Prabowo Subianto travelled to Paris, France, on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. The visit is a reciprocal response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Indonesia last year. The government described the trip as part of strengthening the Indonesia-France Strategic Partnership through intensified bilateral ties. ‘In this visit, both presidents will announce their shared desire to elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This reflects the growing importance of Indonesia and France to each other amid global uncertainties,’ the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. While in Paris, Prabowo is scheduled to undertake several official engagements to reinforce Indonesia-France bilateral cooperation across various fields.