Presidential Eid Tradition: Where Did Soeharto to Prabowo Choose to Celebrate the Holiday?
President Prabowo Subianto performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Darussalam in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh, today, Saturday (21/3/2026), before continuing with halal bihalal activities with the local community.
In addition to the prayers, Prabowo was seen greeting the worshippers present at the mosque and directly distributing basic food packages to residents. This activity forms part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations filled with silaturahmi and sharing.
Based on observations at the location, Prabowo joined the Eid prayers starting at 07:10 WIB.
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Aceh had previously only been done by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). For decades, Indonesian presidents more commonly celebrated Eid al-Fitr in Jakarta, including performing Eid prayers at Masjid Istiqlal.
This tradition changed during President Jokowi’s era, who became the first Indonesian president to introduce the custom of celebrating Eid outside Jakarta, even in various remote parts of the country.
Here is the tradition of Indonesian presidents in celebrating Eid al-Fitr:
- Soekarno
There are not many records regarding Eid al-Fitr celebrations during Soekarno’s era. From some literature, Soekarno almost always celebrated Eid and held Eid prayers as well as halal bihalal in the Istana complex, Jakarta.
- Soeharto
President Soeharto celebrated Eid al-Fitr at his residence on Jalan Cendana, Jakarta.
During Soeharto’s leadership from March 1968 to May 1998, on several occasions, the public was also given the opportunity to directly convey Eid greetings to the president at the open house event on the evening.
In the early days of his government, Soeharto performed Eid prayers in the courtyard of Istana Merdeka. However, after Masjid Istiqlal was established, the president chose to perform Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Istiqlal.
Soeharto was the first president to initiate the tradition of Indonesian presidents performing Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Istiqlal. As a note, Masjid Istiqlal was only officially opened in February 1978.
Although the official opening of Masjid Istiqlal took place on 22 February 1978, President Soeharto, along with ministers and thousands of Muslims in Jakarta, had already performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Istiqlal on 30 November 1970 or 1 Syawal 1390 before the mosque was officially opened.
One Eid tradition very closely associated with the Soeharto era is the sungkeman event with the extended Soeharto family and Ibu Tien.
Soeharto also once held a giant drum-beating event at Monas field, Jakarta, on the night of Eid al-Fitr 1997.
- BJ Habibie
President BJ Habibie only led Indonesia from May 1998 to October 1999.
During the Eid al-Fitr 1419 H or 1999 celebrations, President BJ Habibie performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Istiqlal and then held halal bihalal with presidential staff and community figures.
- Gus Dur
President Abdurrahman or Gus Dur led Indonesia from October 1999 to July 2001. Gus Dur always performed Eid prayers at Masjid Istiqlal. He also opened the tradition of open house at Istana Merdeka in a more egalitarian manner and without strict protocol.
It was during Gus Dur’s era that Indonesians from all walks of life could celebrate Eid and attend the open house at Istana Merdeka for the first time.
- Megawati Soekarnoputri
Megawati led Indonesia from July 2001 to October 2004. During her tenure, Megawati participated in performing Eid prayers at Masjid Istiqlal. She also held an open house.
- Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY was the first Indonesian president elected directly by the people through elections. SBY led Indonesia for 10 years over two periods from October 2004 to October 2014.
During his 10 years in office, SBY always performed Eid prayers at Masjid Istiqlal. SBY held open houses at the Istana or at his residence in Puri Cikeas, Bogor.
- Joko Widodo
Unlike previous presidents, Jokowi celebrated Eid al-Fitr in various regions across Indonesia. In his first year as president, Jokowi even flew to the westernmost tip of Indonesia, namely Aceh.
2015
On 16 July 2015, President Jokowi along with the First Lady Iriana performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Baiturrahman in Banda Aceh. After the Eid prayers, Jokowi made visits to several mosques in Aceh. However, the day before, President Jokowi released the takbir parade in Banda Aceh.
Jokowi chose Aceh as the place for his first Eid celebration after becoming president because Aceh is the Verandah of Mecca and Aceh is the westernmost province of Indonesia.
2016
On 6 July 2016, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Raya in Padang, West Sumatra, and Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Raya West Sumatra. However, after the Eid prayers on the same day, Jokowi immediately flew to Solo.
In Solo, the President held several internal events with his family. There were no official agendas during Jokowi’s time in Solo. However, Jokowi held an open house three days after Eid, namely 9 July 2016. The open house was held at Gedung Agung, Yogyakarta. Thousands of residents attended that open house.
2017
On 25 June 2017, President Jokowi celebrated Eid al-Fitr in Jakarta. This was the first time Jokowi celebrated Eid in the capital since becoming President of the Republic of Indonesia.
President Jokowi along with his family performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at Masjid Istiqlal. The prayer leader at that time was Quraish Shihab, who reminded that nationalism, patriotism, and love for the homeland are innate (instinct) of humans.
After the Eid prayers, Jokowi held an open house at Istana Negara, Jakarta, conducted in two sessions.
The first session started at 08:45 WIB, namely between President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Jokowi with Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) and his wife Mufidah Kalla.
The second session took place from 09:00 to 11:00 WIB. This session was open to the general public and officials.
2018
On 15 June 2018, President Jokowi and his family performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at