President Greets Residents at 2026 Eid al-Fitr Open House at Merdeka Palace

RRI.CO. Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto welcomed thousands of citizens to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for an open house to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri.

The event, known in Indonesia as gelar griya, represents the halalbihalal tradition, a post-Eid custom of exchanging greetings. The open house allowed members of the public to meet the president directly, share festive meals, and receive holiday gifts.

From early morning, residents lined up outside the palace complex to take part in the gathering.

Among them was Dedeh, who said she had come straight from Istiqlal Mosque after Eid prayers to the palace. “I was fortunate to meet President Prabowo and shake his hand. I am very happy,” she said, adding her hopes for the president’s health and for Indonesia’s recovery and unity, as quoted by Antara.

Another attendee, Rifal, described his experience after joining Eid prayers. “I went directly to the palace and was able to meet the president. He is a good leader,” he said. Rifal expressed his wish for Indonesia to continue developing and thanked the president for opening the palace to the public.

Throughout the day, between 4,000 and 5,000 people entered the palace grounds in rotation. President Prabowo greeted many of them personally, shaking hands one by one and distributing Eid packages. The light blue gift bags contained assorted cookies, condensed milk, tea and coffee, rice, umbrellas bearing the palace logo, and ready-to-eat meals.

Guests were also treated to traditional Eid dishes, including ketupat, traditional rice cake, with chicken curry (opor ayam), Cirebon-style beef stew with coconut milk (empal gentong), meatballs (bakso), chicken noodles (bakmi ayam), and a variety of drinks and desserts.

The open house concluded in the evening at around 6 p.m. Jakarta time, marking the end of a day filled with greetings, prayers, and festive hospitality at the Merdeka Palace. ***