Thousands of worshippers flocked to the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta to partake in the first collective Tarawih prayer of the holy month of Ramadan in 1446 Hijriah. As the call to prayer echoed through the mosque on Friday, February 28, 2025, worshippers eagerly awaited the government’s decision regarding the official start of Ramadan.
After the announcement that the 1st of Ramadan in 1446 Hijriah would fall on Saturday, March 1, 2025, the mosque authorities promptly declared that the night’s Isha prayer would be followed by Tarawih prayers. Some devotees had even arrived before Maghrib, intentionally waiting to observe their first Tarawih prayer of the year at the national mosque.
In this inaugural Tarawih prayer session, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque and Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, assumed the role of the preacher. During his sermon, Nasaruddin encouraged Muslims to commence the good deeds they had planned for Ramadan, following the example of Prophet Muhammad and his companions.
He also urged worshippers to pray for their deceased parents during this sacred month, emphasizing the importance of remembering and honoring those who have passed on. “I urge all of us to first, acknowledge our parents who are no longer with us during this holy month of Ramadan because they may have been called by Allah SWT. Even if they have long departed, tonight, visit them by sending prayers,” he expressed.
Prior to this, the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, officially designated the start of fasting, setting the 1st of Ramadan in 1446 Hijriah/2025 CE on Saturday, March 1, 2025, following the decision made during the Isbat Assembly at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
With this official confirmation, Muslims across Indonesia were able to observe Tarawih prayers on Friday night, marking the commencement of the sacred month of Ramadan.
