Ministry Sends Preachers to Remote Islands During Ramadan

RRI.CO, ID, Tanjungpinang - The Ministry of Religious Affairs is extending its reach to Indonesia’s most remote communities this Ramadan, dispatching preachers to the country’s outermost islands as a symbol of the state’s presence in every corner of the archipelago.

In the Riau Islands Province, one preacher has been assigned to Lingga Regency, part of the “3T” areas, regions categorized as underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost.

“The ministry has sent a preacher to Lingga as part of the 3T program,” Head of the Religious Affairs Ministry's Riau Islands Regional Office, Zoztafia, said in Tanjungpinang on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

Nationally, nearly 2,000 preachers are being deployed across Indonesia during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah (2026). Their mission goes beyond religious teaching: they are tasked with strengthening faith, spirituality, and national values, while also delivering messages of eco-theology tailored to local contexts.

For about 30 days, these preachers will accompany residents, offering lessons in Islamic knowledge and Quranic study. Zoztafia emphasized that their presence reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring even the most distant communities feel connected to the nation.

“Through this 3T Ramadan program, we hope people in remote areas gain not only religious reinforcement but also a sustained sense of national spirit,” he said.

Alongside the preacher deployment, the ministry's Riau Islands office will also conduct a Ramadan safari across seven districts and cities, focusing on community education and spiritual enrichment. “We will be with the people at the grassroots level throughout Ramadan,” Zoztafia noted.

He also urged preachers to deliver sermons that are calming and constructive, avoiding provocative narratives that could divide communities. With Riau Islands known for its religious, social, and political harmony, he called on all parties to safeguard this atmosphere.

“Let us work together to maintain Kepri’s harmony as we welcome Ramadan 1447 Hijriah,” Zoztafia concluded. ***