Viral Narrative on Government Managing Mosque Funds Deemed Hoax by Ministry of Religious Affairs

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has addressed the circulating narrative that the government will establish and manage mosque cash accounts. The narrative has been confirmed as a hoax.

“The Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia has never issued any policy or plan regarding the takeover of mosque cash fund management,” said the Head of the Public Relations and Communication Bureau (HKP) of Kemenag, Thobib Al-Asyhar, in Jakarta on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Thobib explained that memes or videos circulating on social media featuring a photo of Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar accompanied by the text ‘Establishment of mosque cash accounts that will later be managed by the government’ constitute disinformation. He emphasised that Nasaruddin has never spoken about mosque cash accounts.

“The information was deliberately created to stir up trouble. Therefore, we hereby confirm that the Minister has never spoken about mosque cash accounts as framed in the viral content,” Thobib stated.

“The management of mosque cash remains the authority of each mosque’s administrators. Mosque cash is managed by the Mosque Prosperity Council (DKM) or mosque takmir in accordance with the principles of independence and the trust of the congregation,” he added.

Thobib Al-Asyhar further stated that the Ministry of Religious Affairs is instead continuously encouraging professional, transparent, and accountable mosque management by the DKM or mosque administrators, without government intervention in the form of taking control of funds.

He also advised the public not to easily believe unverified information and to always check through official government channels.

“Let us always be wise in receiving information. Ensure the truth of every piece of information only through the official website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the official social media accounts of Kemenag RI,” Thobib said.