CONNECT 2026 features four international speakers: Mufti Ismail Menk from Zimbabwe, Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem from Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Wael Ibrahim from Australia, and Dr. Muhammad Salah from the United States. Meanwhile, the national speakers were Dr. Abduh Tuasikal, Dr. Khalid Basalamah, Ustadz Sidqi Zimah, and Dr. Syafiq Basalamah.

Tangerang, Banten (Indonesia Window) - The increasingly open and connected world, supported by advanced technology, has contributed to increasing social pressures, creating mental and spiritual disturbances and exhaustion among the public, especially young people.

The CEO of The Strong Minor Project, Ratna Galih, called these conditions ‘modern struggles’, prompting her to hold the fourth CONNECT 2026 event at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition in Indonesia’s Tangerang city, Banten province on January 24-25.

"Modern Struggles is also the main theme of CONNECT this year, because it is very relevant to our daily lives," Ratna told a press conference on the sidelines of the CONNECT event in Tangerang on Saturday.

According to her, the entire world is now interconnected and revolving, but personal relationships among family members and friends are distracted.

"Unfortunately, this has become the norm, despite its negative impacts. Technological developments have also led to changes in the lifestyles of parents and children.

Sometimes, as parents, we don't understand the language or what our children are talking about, so both parties must learn together to avoid bias between the good and the bad of this modern era," Ratna explained.

Regarding this, Ratna encouraged the public to utilize technology for its value in life, making families, millennials, and Gen Z the main targets of CONNECT this time.

"This time, we want to penetrate millennials and Gen Z more deeply. There are additional programs, such as !Talk, which is different from last year. Visitors who don't purchase tickets can still attend the event and the material will be presented by the speakers," she pointed out, adding that 60 percent of CONNECT visitors this year were Gen Z.

"There is a responsibility to connect the Millennial, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha generations, because they will ultimately be the ones who will continue our lives," Ratna emphasized.

In keeping with the CONNECT theme, which resonates with youth, The Minor Project's marketing and communications director, Zaki, explained that this year's event featured bright and vibrant colors, reflecting hope, passion, courage, warmth, and optimism.

CONNECT 2026 features four international speakers: Mufti Ismail Menk from Zimbabwe, Sheikh Assim Al Hakeem from Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Wael Ibrahim from Australia, and Dr. Muhammad Salah from the United States.

Meanwhile, the national speakers were Dr. Abduh Tuasikal, Dr. Khalid Basalamah, Ustadz Sidqi Zimah, and Dr. Syafiq Basalamah.

Reporting by Indonesia Window