Sukabumi Mayor Faces Protests Over Idul Fitri Prayer Permit Dispute

SUKABUMI, KOMPAS.com – A Sukabumi city leader faced public disapproval during a Friday prayer service, as residents voiced their frustration over a dispute regarding access to a public space for religious observances. The incident underscores growing tensions between local government and religious communities regarding public accommodation of religious practices.

Boos and jeers erupted as Sukabumi Mayor Ayep Zaki began to address the congregation at a Muhammadiyah prayer gathering. The sounds of protest subsided as Zaki left the complex at the University of Muhammadiyah Sukabumi.

One attendee, Rozak Daud, explained that the outcry stemmed from the mayor’s decision to deny Muhammadiyah permission to hold Eid al-Fitr prayers at Lapang Merdeka, a public square in Sukabumi.

Mayor Accused of Breaking Campaign Promises

“The government is present, but their words and actions do not align,” Daud said after the prayer service on Jalan R. Syamsudin on Friday, March 20, 2026. “He even said he would support all religious activities, even if there were differences, but in practice, his authority doesn’t reflect what he said.” Daud added that the decision felt unfair.

Daud emphasized the disappointment was compounded by promises Zaki made during his campaign, specifically a pledge to allow Muhammadiyah to use Lapang Merdeka for Eid prayers if scheduling conflicts arose.

“We are disappointed, especially considering his campaign promise as a future leader, and the reality is far from what he stated,” Daud said.

Mayor Offers Explanation

Mayor Zaki acknowledged making the promise during his campaign, but clarified that it was a personal commitment made before assuming office.

“I did promise that during the campaign, but that was personally, as at that time I hadn’t yet taken office as mayor,” Zaki said to reporters at the BKPSDM City of Sukabumi office on Friday, March 20, 2026.

“At that time, I was speaking as an individual, and once I was inaugurated, I was bound by my duties as head of the region, governed by laws, and regulations. Personal decisions cannot be incorporated into constitutional decisions,” he explained.

Zaki stated the denial of permission was due to a scheduling conflict with a directive from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which designated Saturday, March 21, 2026, as the date for Eid al-Fitr prayers.

Acknowledging the miscommunication, Zaki said he plans to improve communication with religious organizations to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“The reason it wasn’t allowed at Lapang Merdeka is because we were following the decision of the Minister of Religion that Eid prayers would be held tomorrow, March 21st. Personally, this does not diminish my tolerance, so I came here to offer greetings and a brief welcome,” Zaki said.

“There is absolutely no intolerance on my part. In fact, I uphold tolerance. In the near future, we will gather with all Islamic organizations and Islamic leaders, as well as Islamic boarding schools, to discuss how to address any differences in the timing of Eid prayers in the coming years, and we will address this in April,” Zaki concluded.

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