Indonesian Embassy in Beijing Hosts Daily Iftar, Tarawih

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Embassy in Beijing has expanded its Ramadan activities this year, hosting daily iftar gatherings, tarawih prayers, and a structured Ramadan pesantren (Islamic boarding program) throughout the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijri, which began on February 24 and runs until mid-March 2026.

Unlike last year, when iftar and tarawih were held three times a week, and no pesantren was organized, this year’s program is conducted daily and is open to Indonesian nationals as well as Muslims from other countries.

“We will hold daily iftar and tarawih prayers, including a Ramadan pesantren,” said Muhammad Iqbal Agustian Doro Putra, a representative of the Indonesian-Chinese Muslim Community Network (LKMIT), at the embassy on Tuesday, February 24, as quoted by Antara.

The program is organized in collaboration with LKMIT, the At-Taqwa Islamic Study Group of the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, the Beijing Inter-Islamic Study Forum, the Special Branch of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCI NU), and the Special Branch of Muhammadiyah in China.

The pesantren includes daily worship monitoring (Mutaba’ah Yaumiyah), weekly motivational and sharing sessions, sanad-based religious studies, Mandarin language classes, online religious lectures, and a joint Eid al-Fitr prayer.

Some activities are conducted in person, such as communal iftar and tarawih prayers followed by short sermons, while others are held online and are open to students, workers, and the wider community.

Indonesian preacher KH Abdullah Gymnastiar, also known as Aa Gym, is among the scheduled speakers, delivering an online lecture.

“What makes this program different is the monitoring of Mutaba’ah Yaumiyah, allowing participants to evaluate their daily worship. Mentors will guide them, and on Eid al-Fitr, awards will be given to the best participants,” Doro said. He added that 87 participants have registered so far, with organizers targeting 100.

Doro explained that the program aims to foster a sense of brotherhood among Indonesians in Beijing and beyond, with online activities enabling participation from across Indonesia.

During the same event, Indonesian Deputy Ambassador to China Irene said the Ramadan gathering reflects Indonesia’s diversity. “I am not Muslim, but my mother is, so I grew up celebrating Ramadan, Eid, and Christmas. Our family is very diverse,” she said.

Irene added that she hopes the activities will strengthen togetherness and provide a home for Indonesians in Beijing to learn, pray, and gather.

Around 70 people attended the opening iftar, where the embassy served Indonesian dishes such as soto Bandung (Bandung-style beef soup), ayam semur (braised chicken in sweet soy sauce), sayur lodeh (vegetable stew in coconut milk), eggs, white rice, and crackers. The evening concluded with congregational tarawih prayers, ending at about 9 p.m. local time. ***