Gus Ipul Urges Public to Strengthen Solidarity Amid Aceh Disaster

After leading the Isha prayer in congregation with thousands of residents, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), the Minister of Social Affairs, delivered a sermon during the Nuzulul Qur’an commemoration of Ramadan 1447 AH at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh. He called on the public to strengthen gratitude, solidarity, and prayer amid the post-disaster recovery efforts in Aceh. Gus Ipul said his visit to Aceh was also to accompany the Minister of Home Affairs and simultaneously the head of the Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force (Satgas PRR), Tito Karnavian, who has been tasked by President Prabowo to lead acceleration of rehabilitation and reconstruction post-disaster. ‘It is an honour for me to be given the opportunity to share a few messages in the commemorations of Nuzulul Qur’an, starting with the breaking of fast together, while accompanying the Minister of Home Affairs as Head of the Satgas PRR to take concrete steps to provide support and recovery after the disaster,’ Gus Ipul said in a written statement on Saturday (7 March 2026). Gus Ipul expressed gratitude that the natural disaster in Aceh has been addressed gradually through joint work by the central government, local governments, and various parties. He noted that the large scale of the disaster requires integrated handling. Therefore, the government mobilised a range of resources to speed up the recovery process optimally. ‘Thank God, Governor, Deputy Governor, all regents, and mayors throughout Aceh Province, in particular, have set an example of concrete, real work—working day and night, tirelessly,’ Gus Ipul said. Gus Ipul explained that President Prabowo has tasked the Home Affairs Minister with leading the acceleration of rehabilitation and reconstruction with broad resources, from the budget, human resources, to the equipment needed on the ground. ‘For that reason, our hope is for continued support and prayers from all regional governments and communities to continue taking measured and effective recovery steps. We are grateful to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian Police (Polri), civil society organisations, and non-governmental organisations that have contributed to the recovery process,’ he added. On that occasion, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) also disbursed several aid packages to families affected by the disaster coinciding with Ramadan so that Aceh residents can carry out activities and worship comfortably. ‘We hope these aids will be used well in the midst of Ramadan and in preparation for Eid al-Fitr,’ Gus Ipul said. Earlier, Gus Ipul together with Tito Karnavian joined thousands for breaking of the fast in the courtyard of Masjid Raya Baiturrahman. The event, organised by the Aceh government, formed part of the closing of Aceh Ramadan Festival and the sequence of events marking the night of Nuzulul Qur’an. From late afternoon, the mosque’s courtyard—an icon of the pride of Serambi Mekah’s residents—had already filled with people. To serve the worshippers and the community attending, the Aceh government prepared around 5,000 portions of meals for breaking the fast. Attending the event were Home Affairs Minister and Head of the Satgas PRR Tito Karnavian, Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, Deputy Governor Fadhlullah, Aceh Police Chief Marzuki Ali Basyah, Aceh Attorney General Yudi Triadi, Aceh Secretary M Nasir, and religious leaders, regents, and mayors from across Aceh.