Jusuf Kalla explains use of the word 'syahid' in lecture at UGM

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla has explained his use of the word “syahid” during a lecture at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Mosque on Ramadan 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE, which subsequently went viral among the public.

“I was in the mosque and the congregation didn’t understand ‘martyr’. So, I said, yes, because they’re almost the same, syahid and martyr are almost the same. The only difference is the method,” said JK, his familiar nickname, during a press conference in Jakarta on Saturday.

JK explained that he initially discussed conflicts in Indonesia stemming from religion, such as those in Maluku and Poso. He addressed this topic as part of a lecture themed on peace.

While discussing this, JK explained that both conflicting parties had concepts related to dying in defence of their religion.

JK clarified that in Islam, this concept is known as syahid, while in Christianity it is called martyr.

“I repeat, I used the word syahid, not martyr, because I was in the mosque,” he reminded.

“So, it wasn’t me talking about religious dogma, no. I was talking about the events at that time. In those events, everyone felt they were going to heaven,” he said.

JK then referred to a video clip related to the Maluku and Poso conflicts that was shown during the press conference.

“You saw earlier, before they went to war, these young people were all prayed for. You go and pray, you finish off your enemy. Islam is the same, prayed for by the ustadz, you go,” he said.

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

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

JK was even reported to the Metro Jaya Police by the Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI) executive board over the lecture, particularly regarding statements about dying as a syahid. The GAMKI executive board reported JK on 12 April 2026.