Islamic New Year: Deputy Governor Erwan Calls on Public to 'Hijrah' Towards a Better Life

West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan has invited the public to make the Islamic New Year 1 Muharram 1448 Hijriah a momentum towards becoming a strong, independent, and competitive community. Erwan conveyed this while attending the Tasyakur and Commemoration of the Islamic New Year 1 Muharram 1448 H, as well as the Grand Final and Champions Award of the Musabaqah Azan Nusantara (MAN) II Mendunia 2026 at the Nurul Wathan Pakansari Mosque, Bogor Regency, on Tuesday (16/6/2026). “The hijrah we mean is not just moving places, but also moving towards better quality. Hijrah from division towards unity, from individualistic attitudes towards social care, from backwardness towards progress, and from the weakness of the community towards a strong, independent, and competitive community,” he said in his speech. He assessed that the event’s theme, ‘Berhijrah Merajut Ukhuwah, dalam Damai dan Harmoni untuk NKRI’ (Migrating to Weave Brotherhood, in Peace and Harmony for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia), is very relevant to the nation’s current condition. Hijrah, Erwan said, must be interpreted as an effort to improve personal quality and the social life of the community. On that occasion, Erwan also appreciated the launch of several strategic programmes initiated during the event, namely the One Data Indonesian Mosque Programme, the Mosque-Based Community Economic Activity Movement, and the Mosque Management Digital Transformation Movement. “These programmes show that mosques do not only function as places of worship, but also become centres of community civilisation,” he stated. He also commended the entire organising committee of the Grand Final and Champions Award of Musabaqah Azan Nusantara (MAN) II Mendunia 2026 for presenting an activity with religious value as well as social, cultural, and community empowerment dimensions. “Through this competition, we are not only looking for who has the best voice, but also fostering the younger generation’s love for the propagation of Islam,” he added. He expressed hope that the activity would produce a young generation that is not only able to sound the call to prayer beautifully, but also become role models in morals, knowledge, and service to society. Erwan also revealed that as the province with the largest Muslim population in Indonesia, West Java bears a great responsibility in maintaining community unity, strengthening religious moderation, and building social harmony. “More than 97 per cent of West Java’s population is Muslim. Therefore, we have a great responsibility to maintain community unity, strengthen religious moderation, and build social harmony within society,” said Erwan. Through this Islamic New Year commemoration, Erwan hopes the spirit of hijrah will become an inspiration for all West Java residents to continue strengthening brotherhood, maintaining peace, and contributing to realising an advanced and harmonious Indonesia.