Mamah Dedeh and Ustaz Subki Join Prabowo's Iftar

President Prabowo Subianto hosted an iftar gathering with Islamic religious leaders at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March 2026. A number of preachers attended the invitation. One of the speakers was Dedeh Rosidah, popularly known as Mamah Dedeh. The 74-year-old arrived at the Presidential Palace a little after the time of iftar. Dedeh was seen in a wheelchair pushed by an aide, and she did not comment to reporters as she entered the palace complex. In addition to Dedeh, other preachers included Subki Al Bughury. The man who frequently appears on television in religious programmes as Ustaz Subki arrived together with Dedeh. Subki said he attended the invitation to the iftar gathering. However, he also indicated openness to a discussion with the President on current issues, particularly the escalation of the war between Iran, the United States and Israel. According to Subki, he is concerned about Umrah pilgrims whose travel has been disrupted by the conflict. “As for the conflict itself, I won’t speak on that; what I want is peace so that our Umrah pilgrims who are still stranded can return home and those here can depart,” he said. Ustad Abdul Somad, also known as UAS, was invited but did not attend due to other commitments. “UAS could not attend the meeting with the President and Islamic community organisations because he is on a missionary tour in Brunei. May the gathering be beneficial for the community and we are proud,” read the caption on UAS’s official Instagram account. A number of leaders from Islamic civil society organisations were also invited to attend the iftar, including Yahya Cholil Staquf, the Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, Haedar Nashir, the Chairman of Muhammadiyah’s Central Leadership, and Anwar Iskandar, the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council. Dozens of other invited guests were seen arriving at the palace in the late afternoon. Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani, who is also a Gerindra politician allied with Prabowo, said the Head of State could invite leaders of the mass organisations to discuss matters during the iftar. Muzani claimed that Prabowo is generally open to ideas and views from all community leaders; the President would also share his own views on this matter, specifically regarding the Board of Peace. Prabowo had previously invited several Islamic civil society organisations to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, 3 February 2026. The meeting discussed Indonesia’s decision to join the Board of Peace and its impact on the Palestinian people’s struggle. Leaders of Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama, and the Indonesian Ulama Council attended that meeting. Those three organisations are now once again present at Prabowo’s iftar during this Ramadan. Editor’s Note: Prabowo policy: Decide first, report to the DPR later.