Jusuf Kalla explains he only spoke about peace at UGM, not blasphemy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla explained that he only discussed peace during his lecture at the University of Gadjah Mada Mosque on Ramadan 1447 Hijriah and did not commit religious blasphemy.

“The event at UGM was a lecture during the fasting month, as done everywhere, in mosques. I was invited, came, because the theme was peace. Specifically, the theme was about steps towards peace,” said JK, his familiar nickname, during a press conference in Jakarta on Saturday.

JK also explained that in the lecture, he discussed peace as the end of a conflict.

Thus, JK said he discussed several conflicts in the world, including 15 conflicts in Indonesia.

“There are ideological conflicts like Madiun, territorial conflicts like East Timor, economic conflicts like in Aceh. I explained them one by one,” he said.

In addition, JK said he discussed conflicts in Indonesia due to religion, such as in Maluku and Poso.

When discussing this, JK explained that both conflicting parties had concepts related to dying for defending religion. This concept in Islam is known as syahid, while in Christianity it is called martyr.

“I was in a mosque and the congregation didn’t understand martyr. So, I said, yes, they’re almost the same, syahid and martyr are almost the same. Only the way is different,” he said.

“So, it’s just a term, but because I was in a mosque, I used the word syahid. Because if I used the word martyr, the congregation wouldn’t know,” he continued.

Jusuf Kalla also explained that the lecture was delivered so that future national leaders would not use religion as a source of conflict.

“Don’t ever use religion for conflict, don’t! You future leaders, all you future leaders,” he said.

Previously, Jusuf Kalla gave a lecture at the UGM Mosque on 5 March 2026 or as part of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah. The lecture was titled Indonesia’s Diplomatic Strategy in Mitigating Potential Escalation of Multipolar Regional Wars.

However, the lecture went viral in mid-April 2026.

JK was even reported by the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI) Central Executive Board to the Metro Jaya Police regarding the lecture, especially related to the statement about dying syahid. The GAMKI Central Executive Board reported JK on 12 April 2026.