The INDONESIAN — In an atmosphere filled with reverence and interfaith brotherhood, the Forum Masyarakat Indonesia Emas (Formas) celebrated its first anniversary by holding a monumental event titled “Indonesia Berdoa” (Indonesia Prays) at the Kuningan City Ballroom, Jakarta.
Unlike conventional ceremonial celebrations, this commemoration was presented as a national spiritual reflection through interfaith prayers involving the six officially recognized religions in Indonesia Islam, Catholicism, Protestant Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism as an expression of gratitude and hope for a future Indonesia that is more united, just, and prosperous.
The event was attended by prominent national figures, including Hashim Sujono Djojohadikusumo (Chairman of the Formas Advisory Board), Habib Luthfi bin Yahya (Member of the Presidential Advisory Council), Mahfud MD (former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs), H. Oesman Sapta (Chairman of the Hanura Party), as well as representatives from the MPR, DPR, DPD RI, the Cabinet of Merah Putih, and delegations from 84 member community organizations of Formas across the nation. All guests wore white attire as a symbol of purity, unity, and new hope for Indonesia.
Interfaith Prayer and a Moral Call for the Nation
In his address, Formas Chairman Handoyo Budhisedjati emphasized that the organization deliberately chose a celebration that focused on prayer, reflection, and spiritual collaboration rather than festivity or grandeur.
“The world today is not in a good state, and neither is Indonesia as part of it. It is time for us to surrender ourselves to God Almighty. There are many intelligent people and great technocrats, but we cannot rely solely on human efforts. We need divine intervention so that our nation can once again unite and prosper,”
said Handoyo in his remarks.
Carrying the theme “Unity, Justice, and Prosperity through the Spirit of Collaboration,” Formas invites all elements of the nation to revive moral and spiritual consciousness in pursuit of Indonesia Emas 2045 a just, prosperous, and dignified nation.
Hashim Djojohadikusumo: Unity Is the Foundation of National Awakening
The event was officially opened by Formas Advisory Board Chairman, Hashim Sujono Djojohadikusumo, who underscored the importance of maintaining unity amid global and national polarization.
“Many countries collapse because they lose their common ground. I am proud of President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership, which has brought real progress to our nation. However, we must remain vigilant against corruption and continue to support programs such as Sekolah Rakyat that aim to improve the lives of millions of Indonesian children,”
said Hashim.
The program featured a reading of the Pancasila Poem accompanied by Sape traditional music, followed by an interfaith monologue in which representatives from six religions offered prayers sequentially. The Catholic and Protestant communities began with The Prayer and Ave Maria, followed by prayers from the Hindu and Confucian communities, then Buddhism, and finally concluded solemnly with an Islamic prayer recitation of Al-I’tiraf.
During the same occasion, Chairman of the Presidium Persatuan Nusantara Indonesia (PPNI), Jan Samuel Maringka, expressed his institution’s commitment to collaborate with FORMAS in realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.
“The synergy between PPNI and FORMAS is a strategic step to strengthen the role of civil society, health professionals, and all elements of the nation, ensuring Indonesia grows as a healthy, empowered, and just nation,”
said Jan Samuel.
This collaboration reflects the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and a shared determination to make cross-sector partnerships a driving force for a more advanced and dignified Indonesia.
As the highlight of the evening, Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., delivered a National Prayer Message and led the Declaration of Indonesian Peace, symbolizing the collective commitment of all participants to preserve national unity and harmony.
Event Chairman D.H. Serian Wijatno emphasized that “Indonesia Prays” was not merely a symbolic event but a collective reflection of the Indonesian people to surrender their hopes to God Almighty.
“Prayer is the starting point of national awakening and collaboration. We are all guardians of Indonesia,”
he declared.
The event concluded with a heartfelt rendition of the national song “Tanah Airku”, sung passionately by all attendees, filling the hall with emotion and reaffirming a renewed spirit for a peaceful, just, and prosperous Indonesia.
Formas is a national forum uniting 84 community organizations from across Indonesia, dedicated to strengthening nationalism, spirituality, and cross-sector collaboration to achieve the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. The organization stands as a moral and social movement that upholds cooperation, solidarity, and prayer as the foundation for the nation’s progress.
“Indonesia Prays” stands as a symbol that prayer is not merely a ritual, but a spiritual force that unites and moves the nation toward a radiant future.(*)
Report by: Tonga Journalist
Editor: Prime News Post Editorial Team
