Thousands of Worshippers Pack First Tarawih Prayer at IKN National Mosque

Thousands of worshippers from various regions across East Kalimantan packed the National Mosque at Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara (IKN), to perform the first Tarawih prayer of Ramadan 1447 H on Wednesday (18 February).

The Tarawih prayer marked the activation of a worship space that unites communities across Nusantara. The attendance of worshippers from diverse backgrounds demonstrated that the National Mosque is beginning to serve as a centre for religious activity as well as a space for communal togetherness, where people welcome the holy month.

This inaugural Tarawih became an important moment in building spiritual life in Nusantara. In addition to congregational prayers, the event featured a tausiyah (religious address) encouraging the faithful to welcome Ramadan with pure hearts and sincere intentions.

In his sermon, Ustad Irfan Rosady, a preacher from the East Kalimantan office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, emphasised the importance of rectifying one’s intentions in life and worship.

“Let us rectify our intentions. For if we err in conducting our lives and worship, we must be prepared to fall into a valley of humiliation. Therefore, let us strengthen and straighten our intentions in observing Ramadan,” he said, as quoted from the official IKN website.

One worshipper in attendance, Shakira, a resident of Sepaku, said she felt comfortable worshipping at the National Mosque. “I am very enthusiastic about worshipping at the National Mosque. I never imagined the National Mosque would be this magnificent,” Shakira said.

This first Tarawih prayer not only marked the beginning of the Ramadan worship programme but also strengthened the National Mosque’s role as a spiritual and social meeting point for communities now beginning to build their lives in Indonesia’s future capital.