RRI.CO.ID, Tokyo - Around 6,500 Indonesian citizens performed Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Indonesian Mosque in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo and the Indonesian Islamic Community in Japan (KMII) organized the religious gathering.

Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir noted that about 250,000 Indonesians currently live in Japan, spread across various prefectures and professions. “Thank God, we can gather together to celebrate the victory of returning to fitrah,” she said. In Islamic tradition, fitrah refers to the natural state of purity and innocence, symbolizing spiritual renewal after a month of fasting and prayer.

Kartini added that this was her first opportunity as ambassador to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with Indonesians in Japan.

She encouraged the community to maintain unity, brotherhood, and friendship, while continuing to build ties with Japanese society. “We must respect the norms, culture, and ethics of the local community,” she said.

KMII Japan Chairman Erwin Avianto expressed appreciation for the embassy’s full support of Ramadan and Eid activities. He explained that this year’s Eid prayers were held in five waves due to the high level of participation.

The Eid sermon was delivered by Ustad Nasril Albab Mochamad, imam of the Indonesian Mosque in Tokyo, who spoke on the character of a pious person.

Nasril previously taught at Al Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Depok and led the Ihyaul Qur’an Al Utsmaniyyah Islamic Boarding School in Doplang, Cilacap. In 2019, he joined a preacher exchange program to Japan, and since 2023, he has served as imam of the Indonesian Mosque in Tokyo.

Following the prayers, congregants enjoyed traditional Indonesian snacks. Poppy, an Indonesian citizen from Kumamoto, said she was impressed by the orderly arrangements. “The committee’s organization was truly neat, from the moment I got off the bus until I was guided into the mosque,” she said.

A day earlier, on Friday, April 20, 2026, the Japan branch of Muhammadiyah held Eid al-Fitr prayers in Shibuya, Tokyo. “We guarantee our support for all Indonesian community activities in Japan,” said Muhammad Al-Aulaqii, coordinator of socio-cultural information at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)