Indonesia to host the inaugural World Grand Imam Conference

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag), Nasaruddin Umar, announced that Indonesia will host the inaugural International Grand Imam Conference (IGIC 2026) at Istiqlal Mosque and the Islamic Center in Palembang. “We want to demonstrate that from Indonesia emerges a vision of religion that is peaceful, tolerant, and relevant to the world,” said the Minister in his statement in Jakarta on Monday. According to him, the forum represents a step to strengthen the connectivity of Indonesian religious leadership at the global level. IGIC 2026 is designed as a bridge connecting local-level spiritual leadership practices with global dynamics. “We want to build a religious bridge. Imams in Indonesia do not only play a role in places of worship, but also become leaders of civilisation capable of addressing global challenges,” he stated. He explained that Indonesia possesses great strength at the grassroots level. Based on data from the Mosque Information System (Simas), there are more than 740,000 mosques and prayer rooms across Indonesia. Assuming each site is managed by one to three imams, there are millions of religious figures directly guiding the community. “This is an extraordinary potential. Imams are the frontline in shaping the community’s worldview,” he said. The Minister also emphasised the importance of transforming the functions of mosques in the modern era. According to him, mosques should not merely serve as places of worship, but must act as centres for religious literacy to counter disinformation, centres for economic empowerment through zakat and infak, and spaces for strengthening social harmony. In line with that, imams are urged to continuously enhance their capacities, including in mastering technology and strengthening national insight, to address the challenges of the times while safeguarding the integrity of the state.