Foreign Minister Cancels Eid Open House Amid Middle East Tensions

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono has decided to cancel this year’s Eid al-Fitr Open House, a tradition usually held on the first or second day of Eid.

“Minister Sugiono has decided not to hold the Eid al-Fitr Open House this year, taking into account the highly dynamic situations and conditions prevailing at present,” said Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang after a press briefing at the Palapa Room of the Ministry Building in Jakarta on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Earlier, Minister Sugiono called on world leaders to exercise wisdom to ease tensions. “And so that a better future can be provided for all of us,” he said at the “Pejambon Iftar” on Thursday, March 12, at the Nusantara Building in Jakarta, attended by lawmakers, representatives of international organizations, and ambassadors from friendly nations.

He also urged the global community to prioritize solidarity and unity.

The ongoing war has heightened tensions in the Middle East and affected the global community, including Indonesians living in conflict zones such as Iran.

The conflict temporarily stranded two oil tankers owned by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina in the Strait of Hormuz and led to the sinking of the tugboat Musaffah 2 in waters between the United Arab Emirates and Oman on Friday, March 6.

Three Indonesian crew members of the Musaffah 2 remain missing, while another survived and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Oman.

The Indonesian government has issued an advisory urging citizens to postpone travel to the Middle East until conditions improve. The situation is of particular concern ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Indonesia, as Chair of the Developing 8 (D-8), has also decided to postpone the D-8 Summit and related events scheduled for April 15 in Jakarta due to security concerns in the Middle East. The decision was made following input from member states and intensive communication with the D-8 Secretary-General. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)