Quraish Shihab Prays for Prabowo to be Aided by God in Upholding Justice and Peace

Muslim scholar and former Minister of Religious Affairs Quraish Shihab delivered a special prayer to President Prabowo Subianto, praying that God grant him assistance in carrying out his leadership mandate, particularly in upholding peace and justice.

Shihab expressed this during a sermon at the commemoration of Nuzul Quran held at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 10 March 2026. Shihab began by expressing his gratitude for being entrusted to speak at the event, allowing him to convey what he believed needed to be appreciated collectively.

“I am grateful to be given the trust to speak and share what I feel we need to realise together,” said Quraish.

Quraish then delivered a prayer inspired by his mentor, Sheikh Mutawalli Sha’rawi, a prominent Egyptian scholar who had previously offered a prayer to the President of Egypt regarding the leadership mandate.

“I wish to pray. First, for Mr. President. Sir, I have a teacher, Sir. His name is Sheikh Mutawalli Sha’rawi. He once prayed to the President of Egypt. His prayer began with the phrase that power originates from God. No one is given power except by God’s will, whether the ruler honestly follows God’s guidance or the ruler is disobedient. All power originates from God,” he said.

Quraish then delivered a prayer which he believed was relevant to be offered for Prabowo in carrying out the task of leading the nation.

“Then he said, and this is what I wish to pray for you, Sir, he said I do not know, perhaps we will not meet again. I can only pray, if Your Excellency is the destiny of us, the people, in the sense that God has ordained Your Excellency to undertake activities that bring prosperity to the people, then we pray that we may be able to help you, Sir,” he continued.

Quraish also expressed the hope that Prabowo would always receive God’s assistance in upholding the values of justice and peace.

“But if you, Sir, if Your Excellency, he said, hold this position because it is Your Excellency’s destiny to help uphold justice and peace, then we will pray that Your Excellency is aided by God and we will help as well. That is our prayer for you, Sir,” he said.

At the end of his sermon, Quraish Shihab invited all those present to offer a collective prayer seeking peace, a prayer which he noted was taught by the Prophet Muhammad.

“O God, let us live in peace and enter Your paradise, a paradise full of peace. O Lord of glory and majesty. Amen, amen, amen, O Lord of all worlds,” he concluded.