Islamic Figures Comment on Prabowo's Condolences to Khamenei
A number of Islamic figures have spoken out regarding President Prabowo Subianto’s condolences on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Khamenei died in a joint attack launched by the United States and Israel on Iran on 28 February 2026.
Commentary by several Islamic figures was delivered after they attended an iftar with President Prabowo at the Istana Kepresidenan in Jakarta yesterday. Attendees included ulama, Islamic civil society organisations, and leaders of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools).
Jimly Asshiddiqie, chair of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI), said Prabowo’s condolence statement was a fitting step. According to Jimly, as the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and a nation that subscribes to Pancasila, belief in the one God, and humanity that is just and civilised, Indonesia cannot accept a barbaric murder.
The former Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court added that Indonesia should also play a more strategic role in bridging conflicts and tensions among Islamic countries.
Yahya Cholil Staquf, the general chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), said Prabowo’s expression of condolence is a normal and humane response.
For Yahya, equally important is concrete efforts by various parties to stop violence and conflict. ‘We have no choice but to strive with all our might for peace. Stop the war, peace now. There is no other alternative. Otherwise, no one will be saved. This violence must be ended by any means,’ he said.
He also emphasised the importance of leveraging various forums and international cooperation mechanisms at Indonesia’s disposal to push for peace, including Indonesia’s membership in the Board of Peace, also known as the Dewan Perdamaian, initiated by the United States.
‘Look, we find ways to use the BoP for peace. Whatever we have in hand, let’s use it. If we need to dig a hole and have no shovel, we can dig with a spoon,’ Yahya said.
Separately, the organisation Front Pembela Islam (FPI) asked President Prabowo to publicly convey condolences on the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. FPI’s Central Leadership Council’s Secretary of the Syura, Habib Hanif Alatas, said the request came as a mandate from former FPI Grand Imam Habib Rizieq Shihab, conveyed through him.
‘Today we asked, a mandate from Habib Rizieq, because Iran is also a friendly country. We ask the President not to rely only on the Foreign Minister to convey condolences, but for the President to express condolences publicly,’ Hanif told the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
He stressed that Iran is a friend of Indonesia. Therefore, Iran should receive support, particularly as it faces attacks on its sovereignty.
During the occasion, FPI also called for Indonesia to withdraw from BoP. Hanif said the request had been formally conveyed via a letter left with one of the ministers to be given to President Prabowo.
‘We have delivered the letter, left with one of his ministers, and we have told the President that Indonesia should withdraw from BoP. Not because we do not trust the President, but because we do not trust America, nor Israel,’ he said.