Rare moment, Jokowi Salat Idulfitri without being accompanied by high state officials

Jakarta: Idulfitri 1446 Hijri is a different moment for the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). For the first time since his retirement in October 2024, Jokowi held an identity prayer without being accompanied by senior state officials.

There are almost no ministers, there are no heads of state institutions, and there is no strict protocol atmosphere as in previous years in recent decades. It was only flanked by help and was accompanied by the first lady Iriana in the site of Graha Saba Buana, solo, on Monday March 31, 2025.

This moment certainly draws attention, given that in previous years, Jokowi always performs identity prayers with the ranks of state officials, both at the Istiqal mosque in Jakarta and other regions.

Not only that, Jokowi also made sure that he would not attend the open day at the Jakarta Presidential Palace, a tradition he had run while serving. He prefers to come together with the family, enjoy the atmosphere of Eid solo without the frills of the protocol.

1. Prayer of Idulfitri solo, not in Istiqlal as last year

Jokowi and Iriana arrived on the Graha Saba Buana page around 06:00 WIB. The two seem harmonious in the white Muslim way. Not long ago, Idulfitri prayers started at 06.15 WIB with hundreds of other worshipers.

Compared to the previous year, this moment is clearly different. In 2024, Jokowi still carried out identification prayers at the Istiqlal mosque, Jakarta, accompanied by a certain number of high officials, including the vice-president of the time, Maruf Amin and the Indonesian ministers advanced. At that time, he was at the first SAF, showing his position as head of state who always had a strong influence within the government.

But now, after having resigned, the atmosphere of Jokowi's identification prayer seems simpler and far from frantic politics. There is no special SAF, no long procession, only family and help that accompanies it.

Read also: 5 moments of Prabowo-Gibran Eid Salat in Istiqlal

2. In order not to attend the open doors in the palace, choose Family Collect

After carrying out the identification prayer, Jokowi announced that he would not attend the open day at the Jakarta presidential palace. This is a major change in the usual tradition as president.

“There are no open doors, (family gathering) Yes the most children and grandchildren,” said Jokowi briefly when asked by the media crew.

This decision confirms that Jokowi now prefers to spend the time of Eid in a private family atmosphere. He seems to want to take advantage of his new role as a former president with casualness, without attachment to the country's official agenda.

3. There are no representatives of the state, only the assistant accompanying

One of the most striking things at the time of Idulfitri Jokowi prayer this year is the absence of high state officials. There are no ministers, no leaders of institutions, no national political figures. Only the faithful assistant accompanied him, showing how the Head of State's transition to ordinary citizens began to be felt in Jokowi's activities.

During his mandate, Jokowi has always been surrounded by state representatives on all official opportunities, including during worship. However, this time, he looks simpler, indicating that his role in the government has really ended formally.

4. Moment of Eid which marks the transition from Jokowi from the leader to ordinary citizens

Jokowi's decision to make solo prayers with a more private atmosphere has become a symbol of the transition of its status from a president to an ordinary citizen. This moment could be a sign that Jokowi was really separated from the center of power and appreciated his post-president life without being bound by the state agenda.

However, the presence of Jokowi solo remains under public projectors. Many are impatiently awaiting how political stages in the future, given its central figure role in national political dynamics over the past decade.