Misleading social media posts have circulated, falsely claiming that a celebration at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta was a Christmas event. These posts suggested that Christians gathered at this prominent Muslim site, sparking accusations of religious tolerance “going too far.” A senior official from the mosque and the event organizers have refuted these claims, clarifying the true purpose of the gathering.
The misleading narrative began to spread after a video was shared on December 29, 2025. The footage shows individuals dressed in festive attire, reminiscent of Santa Claus, singing Indonesia’s national anthem. The posts accompanying the video included inflammatory language, with one stating, “For the first time, Christmas was celebrated at the Istiqlal Mosque.” This statement has been unequivocally denied by mosque officials.
According to Abu Hurairah Abdul Salam, a senior official at Istiqlal Mosque, the claims are entirely false. He stated, “It is impossible that there was a Christmas celebration at Istiqlal Mosque,” and confirmed that the event depicted in the video actually took place on August 31, 2024, to commemorate Indonesia’s independence day.
The event was organized by the Jagat ‘Arsy International Boarding School, which issued a statement clarifying that attendees wore red and white, the colors of Indonesia’s flag, as a symbol of patriotism. This gathering included religious sermons, prayers, and the singing of the national anthem, reinforcing the event’s nationalistic theme rather than any religious celebration unrelated to Islam.
The video gained traction on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where users expressed outrage and concern over the alleged transgression. Comments included sentiments about the nation being “broken” and invoking divine retribution for what they perceived as a breach of religious boundaries.
The Pew Research Center indicates that Christians make up approximately 11 percent of Indonesia’s population, the largest Muslim-majority country in the world. Despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom reported in September 2025 that religious minorities in Indonesia continue to face systemic discrimination.
Local media have documented ongoing challenges faced by these minorities, highlighting the complex landscape of religious tolerance in Indonesia. The false claims regarding the video have been previously discredited by independent fact-checkers.
A search on YouTube revealed that the original event was live-streamed on the JAGAT ‘ARSY channel on August 31, 2024, although the video has since been removed. Elements from the misleading video align with those seen in the livestream, showcasing the event’s true nature as a celebration of national pride rather than a religious occasion.
As misinformation continues to spread, the incident underscores the importance of verifying claims before sharing, particularly in a diverse society like Indonesia, where religious sensitivities are paramount.
