“We came here to assess the ongoing preparations for activities at this mosque ahead of the upcoming Ramadan,” Umar said in Nusantara, East Kalimantan, on Sunday, adding that he hoped President Prabowo Subianto would visit the landmark house of worship.
Umar made the remarks during an inspection of the mosque alongside Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) head Basuki Hadimuljono, as construction and operational readiness enter their final stages.
He stressed that the State Mosque, along with facilities for other faiths, is central to portraying Nusantara as an inclusive capital that reflects Indonesia’s religious and cultural diversity.
“This is an important symbol of harmony and coexistence in the new capital,” he said.
Umar also said the Ministry of Religious Affairs plans to begin operating from Nusantara in the near future, signaling continued momentum in the development of the city spanning parts of North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kartanegara Districts.
“The sooner we demonstrate this progress to the world, the better,” he said. “God willing, IKN will become a new national icon and a source of pride, in line with the President’s vision.”
Earlier on Sunday, the minister led the inaugural congregational dawn prayer and delivered a sermon at the six-story State Mosque, which includes two mezzanine floors and can currently accommodate 29,095 worshippers.
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The mosque covers a total area of 76,647 square meters, and the government plans to expand its capacity to host up to around 60,000 worshippers to meet future demand as Nusantara develops.
During the same visit, Umar received a briefing on the construction of the IKN Basilica, which has entered its finishing stage.
The Catholic church is part of the Nusantara Worship Area, which will also feature facilities for Protestant, Hindu and Buddhist communities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to religious inclusivity in the new capital.
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Translator: M. Ghofar, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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