Daftarsbmptn.com – Every January 3rd, the Indonesian people commemorate the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Charity Day (HAB), a historic moment that marks the birth of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) in 1946. This commemoration is not merely an annual tradition, but also a time to reflect on the Ministry’s significant role in guiding religious life, strengthening communal harmony, and strengthening its contribution to overall national development.
This long history began with Government Decree Number 1/S.D. dated January 3, 1946, which established the Ministry of Religious Affairs within the Sjahrir II Cabinet. This decision was the result of a proposal from the Central Indonesian National Committee (KNIP) and was subsequently approved by acclamation, with H.M. Rasjidi becoming the first Minister of Religious Affairs.
Because of the significance of this moment, on January 3, 1980, the official term “Birthday of the Ministry of Religious Affairs” was changed to the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Charity Day, now known as the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Charity Day.
This change is intended so that each commemoration not only honors history but also inspires the spirit of dedication of all levels of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in serving and guiding religious life in the country.
This Year’s HAB Theme & Service Commitment
This year’s 79th HAB commemoration carries the theme “People in Harmony Towards a Golden Indonesia,” reflecting the strong hope that interfaith harmony will become the main foundation for achieving a better future for the nation.
This theme also aligns with the direction of national development, namely the Asta Cita (Prabowo-Gibran Government’s Asta Cita), which emphasizes the importance of unity, tolerance, and harmonization of the values of national and religious life.
In his official remarks, Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. K.H. Nasaruddin Umar, MA, emphasized that the HAB commemoration is not merely a ceremony, but rather a momentum to strengthen the spirit of dedication in all aspects of public service. According to him, the Ministry of Religious Affairs plays a strategic role in strengthening the foundation of the Pancasila ideology, safeguarding and maintaining democracy, and respecting human rights within the framework of religious life.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is committed to continuously improving the quality of public services in the education sector, organizing religious services, empowering the community’s economy, and respecting cultural and traditional diversity throughout the country. This includes programs that support the empowerment of Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), better Hajj management, optimizing zakat and waqf (endowments), and providing inclusive religious services for all religious adherents in Indonesia.
Moment for Reflection & Real Action, The Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Role in Society
Various regions across the country commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary (HAB) with a series of activities that illustrated the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ contribution to society. These included solemn flag-raising ceremonies and reflections on the institution’s role, as well as social activities such as community service, blood drives, and cleaning of places of worship, involving various elements of the community.
This commemoration also served as an opportunity to recognize civil servants who have demonstrated high dedication to the state and community, through the Satya Lencana Karya Satya award, awarded to employees with decades of service.
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta
Through this series of activities, the Ministry of Religious Affairs hopes that the commemoration of the Indonesian Religious Day (HAB) will further strengthen the commitment of all parties to continue contributing to creating a harmonious, just, and civilized religious life. Solid harmony is believed to be the primary foundation for realizing a Golden Indonesia, a prosperous, peaceful, and highly competitive nation on the global stage.
Thus, the Day of Charity is not only a historical moment, but also a reminder of the importance of the values of devotion and service to the community, which remain relevant throughout the ages. This affirms that the Ministry of Religious Affairs will continue to be present as part of the effort to create a harmonious, faithful, and cultured Indonesian society.