Viral Prayer Gathering Outside Jokowi's Home: Aide Speaks Out
A video showing a number of residents sitting cross-legged in front of the home of Indonesia's seventh President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), in Solo has been circulating on social media. Jokowi's aide, AKBP Syarif Fitriansyah, confirmed the event took place.
The video shows residents gathered, nearly filling the street in front of Jokowi's home. They were reciting the profession of faith and offering prayers for the safety of the father of PSI Chairman Kaesang Pangarep.
"May he have a long life, may his life be blessed, and all of us Banyumas residents fully support him. God willing, may he remain strong in the face of slander and all challenges. Amen," said one woman in the video.
AKBP Syarif confirmed the tahlilan at Jokowi's residence, stating that the event took place last month, specifically on 18 January 2026.
"Yes, that's correct, it was a tahlilan. It was on 18 January 2026. We welcomed them and received their letter as well as their visit," Syarif said when contacted for confirmation on Thursday (19/2/2026).
Syarif explained that on the same day, Jokowi had to fly to Jakarta early in the morning to attend the wedding of President Prabowo Subianto's personal assistant, Agung Suherman. Jokowi was therefore unable to receive the extended family of the Hidayatul Khalil Islamic Boarding School from Rancamaya Village, Banyumas Regency, Central Java.
"However, at the same time, Mr Jokowi had to take off early in the morning to Jakarta to attend and serve as a witness at the wedding of Mr Prabowo's personal assistant, Mas Agung Surahman. We had previously informed them of Mr Jokowi's schedule at that time, but they still decided to come," he said.
Nevertheless, Syarif said Jokowi had no objections to the residents' visit. He stated that the former Jakarta Governor was also not disturbed by the tahlilan gathering in front of his residence.
"He was not disturbed in the slightest," he said.
Syarif also shared several video clips of the residents holding the event outside Jokowi's home. One representative could be heard expressing gratitude.
"We from the santri community are guided by what we believe: whoever cannot be grateful to their fellow human beings cannot possibly be grateful to God. All presidents are human, and humans are complete when both their strengths and shortcomings are part of who they are," said one man in the video.
The video shows residents gathered, nearly filling the street in front of Jokowi's home. They were reciting the profession of faith and offering prayers for the safety of the father of PSI Chairman Kaesang Pangarep.
"May he have a long life, may his life be blessed, and all of us Banyumas residents fully support him. God willing, may he remain strong in the face of slander and all challenges. Amen," said one woman in the video.
AKBP Syarif confirmed the tahlilan at Jokowi's residence, stating that the event took place last month, specifically on 18 January 2026.
"Yes, that's correct, it was a tahlilan. It was on 18 January 2026. We welcomed them and received their letter as well as their visit," Syarif said when contacted for confirmation on Thursday (19/2/2026).
Syarif explained that on the same day, Jokowi had to fly to Jakarta early in the morning to attend the wedding of President Prabowo Subianto's personal assistant, Agung Suherman. Jokowi was therefore unable to receive the extended family of the Hidayatul Khalil Islamic Boarding School from Rancamaya Village, Banyumas Regency, Central Java.
"However, at the same time, Mr Jokowi had to take off early in the morning to Jakarta to attend and serve as a witness at the wedding of Mr Prabowo's personal assistant, Mas Agung Surahman. We had previously informed them of Mr Jokowi's schedule at that time, but they still decided to come," he said.
Nevertheless, Syarif said Jokowi had no objections to the residents' visit. He stated that the former Jakarta Governor was also not disturbed by the tahlilan gathering in front of his residence.
"He was not disturbed in the slightest," he said.
Syarif also shared several video clips of the residents holding the event outside Jokowi's home. One representative could be heard expressing gratitude.
"We from the santri community are guided by what we believe: whoever cannot be grateful to their fellow human beings cannot possibly be grateful to God. All presidents are human, and humans are complete when both their strengths and shortcomings are part of who they are," said one man in the video.