Indonesian Ulema Council Calls on Mosques Nationwide to Perform Qunut Nazilah Prayers for Palestine During Ramadan
Jakarta, VIVA — The government’s determination that the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026, was accompanied by a call from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for Indonesian Muslims to strengthen their spiritual solidarity with the Palestinian people. The appeal was issued to coincide with the beginning of the fasting month, regarded as an especially auspicious time for prayer.
MUI Chairman KH M. Anwar Iskandar called on all imams and mosque administrators across Indonesia to recite qunut nazilah prayers throughout Ramadan, specifically for the safety of Gaza residents who continue to endure prolonged conflict.
“We earnestly appeal to all mosque imams throughout Indonesia. If possible, let us strengthen our prayers for the safety of Muslims and the Palestinian nation, particularly the Palestinian people in Gaza,” said Anwar Iskandar during the isbat session to determine the start of Ramadan at the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
He also requested that mosque networks and Islamic organisations extend the call so that the prayers could be performed simultaneously across various regions.
“Through what is known as qunut nazilah, we appeal to all mosque administrators in Indonesia — perhaps through the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) or through mass organisations such as NU, Muhammadiyah, Al-Irsyad, Al-Washliyah, Al-Wahda, and others — to call upon all imams. During this blessed and auspicious Ramadan, let us beseech Allah,” he said.
The appeal is seen as reflecting the concern of Indonesian Muslims for the humanitarian situation in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which continues to bear the impact of conflict. Ramadan is viewed not merely as a time for personal worship but also as an occasion for global solidarity among the Muslim community.
What Is Qunut Nazilah?
Linguistically, qunut carries meanings of obedience, standing at length in prayer, and supplication. In religious practice, qunut is a prayer recited whilst standing after the bowing position (i’tidal) during salat.
Meanwhile, nazilah refers to a great calamity afflicting humanity, such as war, natural disaster, epidemic, or oppression. Thus, qunut nazilah is a special supplication within the prayer performed when Muslims face a major catastrophe.
In classical Islamic jurisprudence, qunut nazilah is a legitimate and recommended practice when disaster or suffering befalls the Muslim community, including conflict and occupation in a given territory.