Prabowo Invites Ulama and Islamic Organisation Leaders to Iftar at the Palace Tomorrow

President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to break fast with religious figures, ulama, and leaders of Islamic organisations at Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, tomorrow, Thursday (5 March). ‘So it is, well, it is customary for the President to invite religious figures, ulama to break fast tomorrow,’ said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar after meeting Prabowo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March). In addition, Nasaruddin said leaders of pesantren will also be invited to the iftar. However, Nasaruddin admitted he did not know what topics would be discussed; he said the event is a routine silaturahmi. Separately, MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani said it is possible Prabowo may seek views regarding Indonesia’s membership of the Board of Peace (BoP). He said Prabowo is very open to thoughts and views from all parties. ‘Tomorrow’s meeting is part of that effort; the President wishes to listen to viewpoints, while he will also share his own perspective on this matter (Board of Peace),’ Muzani said. The plan for the meeting comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East between Iran, Israel, and the United States. The US and Israel launched a joint operation on 28 February. In the wake of the operation, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported to have died in the attack. Khamenei was reportedly killed in the attack on Saturday. Iran confirmed the following day. On the day of the operation, Iran retaliated. Iran also retaliated with a larger-scale response following Khamenei’s death, targeting Israel and US military bases in the region. On Tuesday (3 March), Prabowo had already invited the Presidents and Vice-Presidents from previous administrations, former Foreign Ministers, and party leaders in Parliament to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta to discuss the escalation of the war between Iran and the United States and Israel. Attendees included President Jokowi, former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla, Boediono, and Ma’ruf Amin. The meeting lasted about four hours, starting at 19:30 WIB, and guests began leaving around 23:30 WIB.