Ustaz Abdul Somad Unable to Attend Invitation from Prabowo
A preacher, Ustaz Abdul Somad, has decided not to attend the buka puasa gathering with religious figures and Islamic organisations hosted by President Prabowo Subianto. The event was scheduled to take place at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta today, Thursday 5 March 2026.
The absence was announced via his management’s official Instagram account @ustadzabdulsomad_official. In the statement, UAS said he would be absent because he is currently on a da’wah safari abroad. “UAS cannot attend the meeting with the president and Islamic community organisations because he is on a da’wah safari in Brunei Darussalam. May the gathering be beneficial for the umat and we are proud,” read the caption.
UAS then attached the invitation he had received. The invitation states the President invites UAS to attend a gathering for strengthening ties with kyai and Islamic community organisations, to be held on the central courtyard of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, according to Tempo’s monitoring, several leaders of Islamic organisations had arrived at the Palace since the late afternoon before Iftar. Those present included Muhammadiyah’s General Chairman Haedar Nashir, Indonesian Ulama Council chairman Anwar Iskandar, and Nahdlatul Ulama’s Rais Aam Miftachul Akhyar.
Upon arrival at the Palace, Anwar Iskandar said the MUI had only received an invitation to the buka puasa with Prabowo a day before the event. He said the main aim of his visit this time was to break the fast together. He did not know whether Prabowo would also invite the leaders of Islamic organisations to discuss current issues.
Nevertheless, Anwar hopes invited Islamic religious leaders would be able to discuss matters with Prabowo while breaking the fast. “If there is a discussion, that would be even better, because perhaps there needs to be better communication between ulama and umara,” he said.
In addition to the leaders of organisations, other Islamic religious figures were also invited to buka puasa with Prabowo. The Presidential Palace has also invited several prominent pesantren caretakers to participate in the afternoon programme.
Prabowo had previously invited several Islamic organisations to the Jakarta Presidential Palace on Tuesday 3 February 2026, when controversy over Indonesia’s decision to join the Peace Council emerged. After the meeting, several Islamic organisation leaders expressed support for Prabowo’s decision to join the peace council initiated by the United States.
Editor’s note: Prabowo policy: Decide first, report to Parliament later.