Prabowo's Greeting Moment and Hand-Kissing of a Kiai During Iftar at the Palace

President Prabowo Subianto hosted an iftar gathering with ulama and leaders of Islamic organisations at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, the gathering conducted in a warm, familial atmosphere. Prabowo shook hands and kissed the hands of a kiai during the meeting.

The event ran from late afternoon until 23:00 WIB on Thursday, 5 March 2026. Prabowo began by breaking his fast with Rais Aam PBNU Miftachul Akhyar, Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir, and MUI chairman Anwar Iskandar.

Footage on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel shows Prabowo first meeting Miftachul Akhyar, who had already been in the palace room, before also greeting Haedar Nashir.

The gathering continued with Prabowo meeting 158 leaders of Islamic organisations from across Indonesia, along with the heads or leaders of pesantren. The silaturahmi took place in the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace.

Prabowo’s arrival was accompanied by the chanting of salawat and kasidah. He greeted the kiai one by one, engaging in light conversation.

Prabowo was later seen bending to kiss the hand of KH Nurul Huda Djazuli, head of Ponpes Al-Falah Ploso Mojo Kediri, who was seated in a wheelchair at the front row of the venue. As the distance between him and KH Nurul Huda Djazuli closed, Prabowo approached, bowed and saluted the pesantren leader.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya also greeted the guests. He was seen bowing as he saluted the head of Pesantren Al Bahjah, Cirebon, Yahya Zainul Ma’arif, alias Buya Yahya.

Attending the event were MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani, Mensesneg Prasetyo Hadi, Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin), ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

Among the kiais present were MUI Chairman Anwar Iskandar, Rais Aam PBNU Miftachul Akhyar, PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, Muhammadiyah Chairman Haedar Nashir, Head of Ponpes Tebuireng Jombang Kikin Abdul Hakim, Leader of Ponpes Modern Gontor Hasan Abdullah Sahal and Leader of Ponpes Lirboyo Kafabihi Ali Mahrus.