Nyai Sinta Nuriyah Calls for Unity and National Cohesion During Sahur Gathering in Jombang

JAKARTA — Nyai Sinta Nuriyah, the widow of Indonesia’s fourth president K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), called upon all sectors of society to maintain harmonious relations and preserve national unity. She conveyed this message whilst attending a pre-dawn meal gathering at Pondok Al-Khoiriyah Seblak Diwek, Jombang District, East Java, in the early hours of Sunday, 1 March.

“Since we are fundamentally one, there is no need for conflict,” she stated. Nyai Sinta emphasised that only parliamentary seats should be contested during elections, but once elected, elected officials must commit their efforts to building the nation rather than sowing discord. “Only parliamentary seats may be contested, provided they are not used to divide the nation and state. Instead, they should be used to build the nation,” she remarked.

She expressed optimism that Indonesia could become a great nation by maintaining harmony despite differences in ethnicity, religion, race, and culture. “As long as we can remain united with all sectors of society despite our differences,” Nyai Sinta added. The sahur keliling tradition has been maintained for 26 years since she accompanied Gus Dur. “In Jakarta, I held pre-dawn meals with construction workers, market vendors, and those living under bridges. Gus Dur frequently organised sahur gatherings with the disadvantaged as a gesture of care,” she recounted.

Nyai Sinta hopes this activity will continue regularly to assist others and preserve national unity. The event at Pondok Al-Khoiriyah was attended by hundreds of Jombang residents, Islamic school students, government officials, representatives from various faith communities, and invited guests. The programme opened with the Indonesian national anthem and the Syubbanul Wathan march, followed by Quranic recitations by deaf students from Muhammadiyah Special School Jombang, lion dances by Anakonda Jombang, the Wilwatikta dance, hadrah performances by students from Pondok Seblak, and concluded with congregational dawn prayers led by Muhajir, Head of the Religious Affairs Office for Jombang District.

Rika Fauziyah Andarini, Chairwoman of the Khoiriyah Hasyim Seblak Foundation, warmly welcomed Nyai Sinta’s presence. “The late Gus Dur once taught Arabic at the Seblak Islamic school. Her presence is a special honour,” she said. Rika expressed hope that the bonds of brotherhood would continue to be nurtured, following the example of Nyai Sinta, who has consistently organised sahur gatherings for 26 years to engage all sectors of society.

Elsewhere, thousands witnessed the Festival Jappa Jokka Cap Go Meh 2026 in Makassar during the month of Ramadhan, serving as a powerful symbol of tolerance and harmony in diversity. Makassar’s Mayor Munafri Arifuddin (Appi) described the combination of these two meaningful celebrations as a tangible depiction of harmonious living amongst residents of the Windy City.

“This year is particularly special because it coincides with Ramadhan. The Harmony in Light theme depicts the beautiful fusion between the lantern lights of Cap Go Meh and the spiritual light of Ramadhan,” said Appi after attending the celebration on Saturday. He affirmed that Makassar has long been open and championed diversity, with communities living alongside one another in mutual respect, appreciation, and care.