Religious Scholar UAS Delivers Friday Sermon at South Sumatra Police Headquarters, Reminds Officers that Policing is a Sacred Trust
Ustaz Abdul Somad (UAS) served as the imam for Friday prayers held at Masjid Assa’adah in the South Sumatra Police Headquarters (Polda Sumsel). In his sermon, Ustaz Somad reminded police personnel that their duties represent not merely employment but a sacred trust that must be accounted for, both before society and before God Almighty.
The Friday prayer was attended by South Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Sandi Nugroho, senior officials from Polda Sumsel, and hundreds of personnel in an atmosphere of reverence and devotion. Ustaz Somad’s presence provided spiritual reinforcement for the Polda Sumsel ranks, particularly amid the Ramadan period and in preparation for Eid al-Fitr security operations.
In his sermon, Ustaz Somad affirmed that humanity’s primary purpose is to worship God Almighty. However, he explained that worship should not be understood narrowly as ritual practices such as prayer, fasting, and remembrance of God, but rather should encompass all work and service undertaken with sincere intention, full responsibility, and rooted in sacred trust.
“Every task can become worship if done for God’s sake and executed as a sacred trust,” Ustaz Somad said during the sermon on Friday, 13 March 2026.
He cited examples of various professions that can carry spiritual value, from medical professionals caring for patients, to officials serving the public, to law enforcement officers upholding justice. In the context of policing, Ustaz Somad emphasised that duties to maintain security, protect society, and enforce justice fairly constitute service that holds spiritual value.
Ustaz Abdul Somad also reminded that office and authority are not merely honours but significant trusts for which accountability will be demanded. Therefore, every power possessed must be used to uphold justice, not for personal interest.
“Office is a trust. Authority exists not to be abused, but to uphold justice,” he stressed.
The message received serious attention from personnel attending Friday prayers at Polda Sumsel. For police ranks, the sermon became a reminder that the uniform and duties undertaken must be executed with integrity, honesty, and high responsibility.
South Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Sandi Nugroho found Ustaz Abdul Somad’s message highly relevant to the police’s role as protector, guardian, and servant of society. In his view, the sacred trust attached to every police member must form the moral foundation in every duty execution.
“The uniform we wear is a trust. The duties we undertake must become a field of spiritual worship to serve society and nation,” said Sandi.
Meanwhile, South Sumatra Police Public Relations Division Head Senior Commissioner Nandang Mu’min Wijaya stated that spiritual development constitutes an important element in building human resources within the police force. According to him, strengthening spiritual values is necessary so that personnel possess not only professional competence but also strong integrity and faith.
“We want to build personnel who are not only professional but also possess strong integrity and faith,” said Nandang.
The Friday prayer took place in an atmosphere of reverence and significance. Amid the Ramadan period and preparation for Operation Ketupat Musi 2026, Ustaz Abdul Somad’s sermon served as an important reminder to all Polda Sumsel personnel that police work, in essence, is a sacred trust that must be executed justly, honestly, and with full sincerity.