Saudi Arabia Expands Ramadan Aid in Indonesia with 40,000 Iftar Meals

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Saudi Arabia has expanded its Ramadan diplomacy in Southeast Asia, launching a large-scale food assistance program in Indonesia that includes tens of thousands of iftar meals and tons of dates for Muslim communities across the country.

Speaking at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Head of the Religious Affairs Attaché at the Saudi Embassy, Ahmed bin Essa Al-Hazmi, said Indonesia was personally selected by Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to receive the aid.

“We are providing 2,000 iftar packages from King Salman for you, and also distributing dates through the Religious Affairs Ministry, because you are among those chosen by King Salman as the best community,” Ahmed bun Essa Al-Hazmi said while overseeing the distribution of the meal packages, as quoted by Antara.

The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s global “Buka Bersama” (communal breaking of the fast) program, carried out under the direct instruction from King Salman for Muslim communities in multiple countries, including Indonesia.

In Indonesia alone, the program has prepared 40,000 meal packages and 40 tons of dates. Distribution has taken place not only at Istiqlal Mosque but also at several locations, including campuses such as University of Indonesia (UI) and State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.

Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar welcomed the assistance and expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership.

“Let us pray that Allah grants long life and good health to the King of Saudi Arabia and his entire family, as well as to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Indonesia and the Saudi Attaché who has shown great respect for Istiqlal Mosque,” Minister Nasaruddin said.

Separately, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, in coordination with the Saudi Embassy, has distributed 100 tons of dates through the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The Kingdom has also provided food assistance worth IDR 7 billion to the Indonesian National Alms Agency, BAZNAS, for distribution to communities in several provinces, further expanding its humanitarian outreach during the holy month of Ramadan. ***