UBN: Muslim Unity and Economic Resilience Key to Facing Hybrid War

Ustadz Bachtiar Nasir (UBN) expressed his hope that the 8th Indonesian Muslim Congress (KUII) would foster sincere unity and strengthen national economic resilience as a defence against the increasingly complex threat of hybrid warfare. Speaking on the sidelines of the congress in Jakarta on Friday (24/7/2026), UBN stated that Muslim unity must not remain a mere formal agreement or slogan, but should be realised through genuine brotherhood and concrete efforts to bolster the nation’s independence, particularly in the economic sector. He noted that modern threats to a nation no longer come solely through military invasion, but also through economic weakening, the takeover of strategic assets, and food dependency, all of which can undermine a country’s sovereignty. UBN therefore urged that economic empowerment of the Muslim community be made a strategic agenda, arguing that a community with economic resilience is better prepared to withstand external pressures. He highlighted the need to direct the community’s potential towards strengthening productive sectors, including trade, the halal industry, micro-enterprises, and the professional management of zakat, infaq, sadaqah, and waqf. The opening of the congress was officiated by MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani, representing President Prabowo Subianto who was unable to attend due to other state commitments. Ahmad Muzani echoed the call for all elements of the Muslim community to maintain unity as a primary asset in addressing national challenges, noting that the strength of the ummah has historically been a crucial factor in safeguarding the nation’s integrity since the struggle for independence.