Megawati's Prayer in the Holy Land for Bung Karno and Her Children
The umrah pilgrimage of Indonesia’s fifth president and PDI Perjuangan (PDIP) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri in the Holy Land became a deeply solemn occasion to offer prayers for her family and the nation.
During the tawaf led by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Tunisia and PDIP Central Board Chairman for Religious Affairs (non-active) Zuhairi Misrawi, Megawati expressed gratitude for the restoration of the good name of her father, Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno.
“We are grateful to You, O Allah, for there is no longer any slander against the Proclaimer and hero of our nation, Bung Karno, after his good name was restored by the MPR RI,” said Zuhairi, affectionately known as Gus Mis, on Saturday afternoon, 14 February 2026 local time.
In the prayer, Megawati asked that Bung Karno be granted a place in paradise and that all the suffering and illness he endured serve as an erasure of sins. She also reaffirmed her conviction that the Pancasila teachings and the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) unearthed by Bung Karno remain the main pillars of Indonesia’s strength in grounding mutual cooperation and harmony.
Prayers were also offered for her mother, Fatmawati, who was described as a resilient woman with great contributions to the independence struggle. Megawati prayed that all of Fatmawati’s deeds of worship be accepted and her grave be made spacious.
During the pilgrimage, Megawati was accompanied by her son M. Prananda Prabowo and his wife Nancy Prananda, as well as her daughter and House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani. Also present were Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Yusron B. Ambary and PDIP Central Board Chairman for Foreign Affairs Ahmad Basarah.
Megawati specifically prayed for Prananda and Puan to always remain harmonious and be kept far from all forms of slander and envy.
“Unite the two of them in harmony that pleases You, bless their sibling bond with a canopy of love and affection that pleases You,” said Gus Mis, leading the prayer followed by Megawati and her entourage.
He also prayed that both her children be united in faith, Islam, and ihsan, so they can work hand in hand to safeguard the glory of PDI Perjuangan.
Ahmad Basarah expressed his hope that the prayers would be answered by Allah SWT for the good and future of an ever more solid party.