Jakarta (ANTARA) – The International Grand Imams Conference (IGIC) 2026 in Jakarta from September 25 to 27 produced the “Jakarta Understanding” Declaration, outlining key agreements centered on positioning imams as key actors in religious diplomacy.
“Through the Jakarta Understanding, the grand imams deliver a message that peace is a shared human responsibility, and mosques can serve as bridges connecting differences,” Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said in an official statement on Monday.
Nasaruddin noted that the declaration underscores how religious diplomacy can reinforce international relations, while also reaffirming full support for the rights of the Palestinian people.
The declaration specifies several key points, starting with a call for imams to assume a strategic role, not only as leaders of prayer, but also as conflict mediators, unifiers of diversity, and moral guides for society.
Imams are also urged to play an active role in transforming religious institutions into open, inclusive, and humanity-oriented community spaces that advance civilization.
Second, the declaration calls on imams to act as catalysts for global peace, committed to protecting human dignity regardless of ethnicity, religion, nationality, or gender.
Imams are encouraged to spearhead character education, promote values of moderation, tolerance, compassion, and respect for diversity, and strengthen digital literacy.
Third, imams are tasked with championing social justice and safeguarding human rights by creating safe, equitable, and welcoming environments for children, women, people with disabilities, minority groups, and other vulnerable groups, while also backing family resilience.
Fourth, imams are urged to mobilize religious diplomacy and interfaith dialogue to prevent conflict, build mutual trust, and foster global reconciliation. They are expected to spearhead the fight against all forms of extremism, violence, the misuse of religion, fake news, and hate speech.
Fifth, the declaration reaffirms a shared commitment to building ecotheological awareness, preserving ecological balance, ending environmental destruction, and positioning mosques and religious communities as pioneers of earth sustainability for future generations.
Sixth, it calls for global collaboration with international institutions, governments, and civil society to build a just, dignified, and peaceful world for all.
Seventh, it reiterates full support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, the protection of civilians, the enforcement of international law, and the achievement of lasting independence, justice, peace, and dignity for Palestine.
In addition to the Jakarta Understanding, the conference also agreed on the establishment of the International Assembly of Mosque Imams (IAMI), with Nasaruddin – concurrently serving as the grand imam of Istiqlal Mosque – appointed as the president.
Related news: Minister urges stronger role for mosques in community empowerment
Related news: Indonesia seeks to promote mosque imams as peace ambassadors
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
Copyright © ANTARA 2026