RRI.CO.ID, Batam - The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, inaugurated the Bintang Amin Angkasa Mosque at Hang Nadim Air Force Base, Batam, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The inauguration was also witnessed by the Mayor of Batam, Amsakar Achmad, the Deputy Mayor of Batam, Li Claudia Chandra, along with stakeholders and mosque congregants.

The Minister of Defense then signed an inscription to mark the inauguration of the Bintang Amin Angkasa Mosque. The inauguration marked the beginning of the mosque's use as a place of worship and a center for religious activities for the community, particularly within the Hang Nadim Air Force Base area.

Before the mosque's inauguration, the Minister of Defense planted mango and ketapang kencana trees with the Mayor of Batam. This planting symbolizes environmental concern and the hope for growth and blessings for Batam City.

Moreover, Amsakar Achmad in his remarks, expressed his appreciation for the Indonesian Minister of Defense's visit to Batam. He hoped the Minister's visit would inspire and motivate all elements of society.

"We hope the Minister's visit to Batam City will inspire and motivate us all to continue to provide the best for the nation and state," Amsakar conveyed.

Furthermore, Amsakar also described Batam as a region with a high level of diversity. Currently, Batam is home to approximately 1.3 million residents from various ethnic and religious backgrounds who live in harmony.

"With its multicultural character, various ethnicities and religions live side by side in Batam. Thank God, the situation remains conducive. This is due in no small part to the solidarity of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, the Riau Islands Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, and Batam City, as well as all stakeholders," he explained.

Furthermore, Amsakar also reported on the lengthy construction process of the Bintang Amin Angkasa Mosque, which finally made it operational during Ramadan this year.

"The construction of this mosque was a long journey. Over the six years since its inception, various obstacles were encountered. However, thanks to the support of the Air Base Commander, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and business owners, "Alhamdulillah (praise be to God)," he said.

In addition, Amsakar mentioned that the mosque has a capacity of around 1,500 worshippers and is expected to become a new icon of religious tourism in Batam.