Amnesty Challenges Minister's Claim on Religious Harmony

8 hours ago 7

August 19, 2026 | 11:09 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amnesty International Indonesia corrected Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar's claim that Indonesia has reached the highest peak of socio-religious harmony in history. Nasaruddin made the statement while reciting a prayer at the 81st Independence Day ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Amnesty International Indonesia Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena argued that the minister's statement contradicts the reality on the ground. "Almost every year, there are hundreds of violations of freedom of religion and belief that harm interfaith harmony," said Wirya in a written statement on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

According to Wirya, data from the Setara Institute recorded 221 religious freedom violations throughout 2025. Meanwhile, Amnesty International Indonesia documented at least five cases of discrimination against freedom of religion and belief from January through August 2026.

Some of the highlighted cases include bans on Eid al-Fitr prayers for Muhammadiyah congregants in Barru Regency, South Sulawesi, and Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, on March 20, 2026.

Furthermore, resistance to the construction of houses of worship remains a persistent issue. The most recent incident occurred in Surabaya, East Java, where local residents put up banners rejecting the construction of a church in the Citraland area on August 14, 2026.

Ironically, Wirya noted, the Minister of Religious Affairs made his claim just days after that incident. "The Minister of Religious Affairs' claims hurt the feelings of victims of discrimination and intolerance," he said.

Wirya believes that, rather than denying reality through unfounded claims, the government should revoke the 2008 Joint Decree issued by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Home Affairs Minister, and Attorney General, which is frequently cited to justify discrimination and repression against minority religious groups.

Furthermore, he urged the government to repeal Joint Ministerial Regulations No. 9 and 8 of 2006 regarding the establishment of houses of worship.

According to Wirya, these regulations in practice routinely complicate house-of-worship construction for minority groups while subjecting them to pressure from majority communities.

"Freedom of religion is an absolute human right guaranteed by the constitution. The government must act as a protector for all citizens equally, not act as an actor violating the right to freedom of religion and belief," Wirya said.

Previously, Nasaruddin Umar's prayer at the 81st Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace sparked widespread discussion on social media.

This occurred because the professor from the State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta included several statistical data points showcasing the achievements of the administration under President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

In his prayer, Nasaruddin initially voiced gratitude for the government's efforts to foster social welfare and justice through strategic programs. He then stated that the success of these programs are now being felt across all segments of Indonesian society.

Nasaruddin also cited a socio-religious harmony index score of 77.85 percent, asserting that the figure marks an all-time high in the nation's history. "This is possible because You have also bestowed the highest peak of socio-religious harmony, 77.85 percent, which this nation has never before achieved in its history," the minister prayed.

Read: How Much Does Independence Day Ceremony at IKN Cost This Year?

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