The Grand Imam of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al-Hudhaify, expressed his admiration for the greatness of Islam in Indonesia, while delivering Friday sermon at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Grand Imam of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al-Hudhaify, expressed his admiration for the greatness of Islam in Indonesia, while delivering Friday sermon at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Friday (Oct. 11).

The implementation of Friday prayer at Istiqlal Mosque, which was attended by thousands of worshipers on the main floor, took place solemnly.

Deputy Head of Worship Promotion, Abu Hurairah Abd. Salam, who translated the essence of Sheikh Al-Hudhaify's Friday sermon, said, "In the first sermon he delivered the introduction and messages of piety. He said that when I looked at the faces of the brothers in Indonesia, I was increasingly amazed by the greatness of Islam and I saw with my own eyes the truth of Islam, the glory, and the truth of Islam present in Indonesia".

Sheikh Al-Hudhaify also said that Islam is the final religion brought by the Messenger of Allahﷺ who is a light for the world and full of grace. "This Islamic religion is a religion full of grace, justice. A religion that has faith, worships Allahﷻ. A religion that balances worldly life and the hereafter," he explained.

"The religion that Allahﷻ grew in the holy city of Mecca, then arrived and continued to develop to the land of Indonesia. Remembering this, Sheikh Ahmad is very grateful."

"Alhamdulillah, he (Sheikh Al-Hudhaify) is very grateful that Islam until now will not fade, but rather develop and grow as he witnesses until now," Abu Hurairah Abd. Salam said.

Regarding religious moderation, the Deputy Head of Worship Promotion said that in his sermon, the Imam of the Nabawi Mosque reminded the words of Allahﷻ in Surah Hujurat verse 13, which is translated, “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

"The religion of Islam raises issues about humanity and greatly honors humans. Allahﷻ created different religions, tribes, languages ​​and so on, and what is recognized by Allah is not our appearance, but our piety to Him," Abu Hurairah explained.

In addition to delivering the Friday sermon, Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al-Hudhaify also led Friday prayers at Istiqlal Mosque.

The Grand Imam of the Prophet's Mosque visited Indonesia for five days, from October 7 to 11, 2024, and met with the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, a number of leaders of Islamic organizations and Islamic boarding schools, including the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), the Muhammadiyah Central Board, and the Darunnajah Islamic Boarding School in Jakarta.

Sheikh Al-Hudhaify likewise delivered a public lecture at Jakarta’s State Islamic University of Syarif Hidayatullah.

Reporting by Indonesia Window