A New Milestone in State Recognition for Believers

Jakarta, July 6, 2026 — The Ministry of Culture officially established Day of Belief in One Supreme God through the Minister of Culture Decree Number 135 of 2026. This announcement was made during an event held at Sasana Adirasa, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Attorney General's Office, National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), and various belief organizations. The presence of representatives from multiple ministries and agencies reflects the state's commitment to respecting freedom of belief, preserving traditions, and passing on the noble values of the nation.

The event began with a puppet show themed on moral values that narrated the history of the establishment of the Day of Belief in One Supreme God. Through this performance, it was conveyed that July 13 was chosen as it refers to the struggle of Raden Mas Tumenggung Wongsonegoro during the early independence period in proposing that the term belief be included in the Indonesian constitution as a form of recognition for the existence of believers.

The event continued with a report from the Director General of Cultural Protection and Tradition, Dr. Restu Gunawan, M.Hum., who outlined the process of proposing and establishing the Day of Belief in One Supreme God. He explained that this proposal had been advocated since 2005 and was finally established during the leadership of Minister of Culture Prof. Dr. Fadli Zon, M.Sc.

"The proposal to establish the Day of Belief in One Supreme God has been brought forward since 2005, but it was only able to be established during the leadership of Prof. Dr. Fadli Zon, M.Sc. as Minister of Culture," said Dr. Restu Gunawan.

He also emphasized that to date, national religious holidays do not encompass all beliefs that exist in Indonesia. Therefore, the aspirations of the belief community for broader recognition are still being fought for.

The next speech was delivered by the Chairman of the Presidium of the Indonesian High Council of Beliefs (MLKI) Central, Naen Suryono, S.H., M.H. In his speech, he stated that MLKI will soon prepare and implement various short-term, medium-term, and long-term programs to strengthen the existence of the belief community in various aspects of life.

"We hope the government continues to provide support through various strategic policies, including that the Day of Belief in One Supreme God can eventually be established as a national holiday," emphasized Naen Suryono.

Restu Gunawan Director General of Cultural Protection and Tradition of the Ministry of Culture (left), Fadli Zon Minister of Culture (center), Naen Soeryono Chairman of the Indonesian High Council of Beliefs Central (MLKI) (right) during the symbolic handover of the Minister of Culture Decree Number 135 of 2026 about the Day of Belief in One Supreme God

Minister of Culture Prof. Dr. Fadli Zon, M.Sc. in his speech emphasized that the establishment of the Day of Belief in One Supreme God is a constitutional mandate and part of the state's responsibility to protect and advance national culture. This establishment is in line with the spirit of Article 29 paragraph (2) and Article 32 paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which guarantees freedom of belief and promotes national culture.

"May the establishment of the Day of Belief in One Supreme God be an important milestone in strengthening recognition, respect, protection, and advancement of an inclusive, sustainable national culture that benefits society and the state," said the Minister of Culture.

As the highlight of the event, the Minister of Culture symbolically handed over the Minister of Culture Decree Number 135 of 2026 about the Day of Belief in One Supreme God to the Chairman of the Presidium of the Indonesian High Council of Beliefs. This moment marked the official establishment of the Day of Belief in One Supreme God as part of the state's efforts to recognize the diversity of beliefs that grow and develop in Indonesia.

The series of activities then continued with the launch of the Javanese Purwa Calendar, involving Prof. Dr. Purwo Sasongko, S.Pd., M.Pd. as the Resi Ralon of the Javanese Maneges Belief along with K.R.T. Rosa Muliaji, S.T., M.T. as the Bahu Reksa of the Javanese Maneges Belief.

The event concluded with a performance of the Tor-Tor Dance from North Sumatra accompanied by traditional Gondang Bolon music by Ina Pangampu Punguan Parmalim. This performance expressed gratitude and joy over the establishment of the Day of Belief in One Supreme God, while also reflecting the diversity of traditions and the cultural wealth of Indonesia that continues to be preserved and passed on to future generations.