Full Prayer by Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar at the 81st Independence Anniversary

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar led prayers during the ceremony commemorating the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence at the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Monday (17/8).

In his prayer, he asked for Indonesia to be kept away from slander, disaster, and division that could weaken the strength of the nation.

Nasaruddin also offered prayers that Indonesia would be able to fill its independence with various achievements and face the many challenges that still need to be resolved. He also prayed for the heroes who fell in the struggle to seize and defend independence.

The text of the prayer for the 81st Anniversary of Indonesian Independence:

Ya Allah, Ya Hamid, we offer praise and gratitude to You because on this very bright morning, all citizens of our nation are commemorating the 81st second of the proclamation of independence. It is by Your blessing and help that our nation was able to achieve that independence.

Your servants are also grateful because under our president, Mr Haji Prabowo Subianto, and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, various earnest efforts have been made to realise the ideals of justice and social welfare through various strategic programmes whose benefits are now being felt by all levels of society.

All of this is possible because You have also bestowed the highest level of religious social harmony at 77.85 percent, which has never been achieved in the history of this nation.

Ya Allah, Ya Syakur, You have promised us that if you are grateful, We will surely increase your blessings.

May this series of independence proclamation events serve as a sign of gratitude for the independence You have bestowed upon our nation.

We ask that You continue to help us fill this independence with outstanding achievements for the sons and daughters of our nation.

Ya Allah, Ya Sama’ad-Du’a’, You have also promised us: pray to Me, and I will surely grant it for you. We ask You to keep us away from all slander, disaster, and division that could weaken the foundations of our nation’s strength.

If today You were to accept only one prayer, then grant the prayer of our nation’s leader, because his prayer will surely have an impact on all citizens of the nation and the country.

Ya Allah, Ya Nasir, the road we must travel is still long, the challenges we face are still great, and the responsibilities we must bear are still many. Yet You always comfort us with Your promise:

Wa may yattaqillaha yaj’al lahu makhrajan, wa yarzuq-hu min haysu la yahtasib.

Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will surely provide a way out for him and provide for him from a direction he does not expect.

Instil mindfulness and noble intentions in all of us so that we may easily overcome the challenges before us.

Ya Allah, Ya ’Afu, Ya Gafur, allow us to always remember and pray for our ancestors, the national heroes who fell to seize and defend our nation’s independence. May they all be those whom You refer to in Your words:

Wa la tahsabannallazina qutilu fi sabilillahi amwata, bal ahya’un ’inda rabbihim yurzaqun.

Do not think that those who are killed in the way of Allah are dead. Indeed, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.

We earnestly desire from You, Ya Allah, that You guide our nation to become an example of baldatun tayyibatun wa rabbun gafur, a beautiful land full of blessings, a prosperous and fertile country, orderly, peaceful, and secure.

Rabbanaghfir lana zunubana wa israfana fi amrina wa sabbit aqdamana wansurna ’alal-qaumil-kafirin.