Residents' stories of celebrating Eid with the President at the State Palace

Thousands of residents celebrated Eid with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the open house event for Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Saturday, accompanied by enthusiastic stories from the public during this moment of reconnection. Accompanied by his son, Didit Hediprasetyo, President Prabowo directly greeted the attendees and even toured the area to shake hands one by one with the residents, while conveying Eid greetings. Enthusiasm was evident from the happy expressions on the faces of the public, who experienced the Lebaran atmosphere in the palace environment for the first time. One of them, Sinta, a travelling masseuse, admitted to being moved because her dream of meeting President Prabowo had finally come true. “Indeed, I had a dream to meet him, and it has been realised. Alhamdulillah, I am happy. I can’t express it enough; may Mr President and his deputies have long lives and be blessed with sustenance,” said Sinta. She also expressed her gratitude for stepping foot in the Presidential Palace for the first time in her life. Sinta was grateful more than once, as her first visit to the palace coincided with celebrating Eid directly with the President and Vice President. “Alhamdulillah, it has been realised for me; perhaps Allah loves me. I was even given a gift; I am so grateful for myself,” she added. “This is my first experience coming to the palace. I feel like meeting Mr President, shaking hands, getting to clasp hands directly with Mr President; I feel so proud,” said Fitri. Even though she came without special preparation, Fitri admitted to being satisfied with the experience she gained. She hoped that similar activities could continue to be held in the future as a manifestation of the closeness between leaders and the people. “Hopefully, for the coming years, an open house like this will still take place,” she said. This year’s Eid open house at the Presidential Palace became a special moment that brought President Prabowo directly together with the public, while strengthening the values of reconnection, togetherness, and closeness between the leader and the people in the festive atmosphere.