Sukabumi Mayor Faces Public Disapproval After Denying Mosque Access for Eid Prayers
Sukabumi, Indonesia – A tense scene unfolded during Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday, March 20, 2026, as Sukabumi Mayor Ayep Zaki was met with audible disapproval from worshippers affiliated with the Muhammadiyah organization. The reaction stemmed from the city administration’s decision to deny Muhammadiyah permission to hold Eid prayers at Lapang Merdeka, a central public square in Sukabumi. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between the local government and the prominent Islamic organization, raising questions about religious freedom and the fulfillment of campaign promises.
As Mayor Zaki began to address the congregation at an alternative location – the campus of Universitas Muhammadiyah Sukabumi (UMMI) – shouts of “huu,” and calls of “balik-balik” (proceed back) and “pembohong” (liar) erupted from the crowd, according to multiple reports. While the situation did not escalate into outright violence, the vocal dissent underscored the depth of frustration felt by many Muhammadiyah members. Mayor Zaki subsequently left the UMMI campus and did not participate in the prayers alongside the congregation. The incident has sparked a wider debate about inclusivity and the equitable treatment of religious groups within the city.
Dispute Over Lapang Merdeka Access
The core of the dispute centers around the denial of access to Lapang Merdeka, a traditional venue for large public gatherings, including Eid prayers. Muhammadiyah’s Pimpinan Daerah (PD) – the regional leadership council – had formally requested permission to utilize the space for the Eid al-Fitr prayers. However, the request was rejected by the Sukabumi city government, prompting the organization to relocate the prayers to the UMMI campus. This decision, according to Rozak Daud, Chairman of the Legal and Human Rights Council of the Sukabumi PD Muhammadiyah, was a significant disappointment to the community.
“The government is present, but its actions do not align with its words,” Daud stated following the prayers, as reported by local media. “The mayor had previously stated his support for all religious activities, regardless of differences, but in practice, his administration has not supported the Eid prayers of the Muhammadiyah community at Lapang Merdeka. In practice, the leader’s actions do not match their promises.” Daud further characterized the decision as “unfair.”
Mayor Zaki’s Explanation and Past Promises
Mayor Zaki acknowledged making a pledge during his election campaign to facilitate religious activities for all groups, including Muhammadiyah, and to provide space for prayers like Eid al-Fitr in open areas. However, he attempted to clarify his position, stating that the promise was made in a personal capacity, before assuming office. “When I campaigned, I made that promise personally, since at that time I had not yet assumed the position of regional head,” Zaki explained to reporters at the Kantor BKPSDM Kota Sukabumi (Sukabumi City Regional Personnel and Training Agency) on March 20, 2026. “At that time, I was only speaking as an individual. Once I was inaugurated, I was bound by my duties as a regional head, governed by laws and regulations, so personal decisions cannot be translated into constitutional decisions.”
Zaki further justified the denial of access to Lapang Merdeka by citing a discrepancy with guidance from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. He claimed the ministry had scheduled Eid al-Fitr prayers for Saturday, March 21, 2026, and the city’s decision was based on that directive. He insisted that his actions were not motivated by intolerance, and pledged to improve communication with Islamic organizations to prevent similar misunderstandings in the future. “The reason we didn’t allow prayers at Lapang Merdeka is because we were referring to the decision of the Minister of Religious Affairs that Eid prayers would be held on Saturday, March 21st,” Zaki stated. “Personally, this does not diminish my tolerance. That’s why I came here and offered congratulations and delivered a brief greeting.”
However, this explanation has done little to quell the anger of Muhammadiyah members, who point to Zaki’s campaign promises as evidence of a broken commitment. The issue likewise resurfaces past scrutiny of Zaki’s administration. In February 2025, he announced plans to increase the Sukabumi city budget and combat corruption, as reported by Kompas Bandung, a move that initially garnered positive attention. More recently, in April 2025, the Sukabumi City Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) requested an apology from Zaki regarding allegations of tax evasion, according to Kompas Bandung.
Broader Implications and Future Dialogue
The incident in Sukabumi underscores the delicate balance between religious freedom, government authority, and the importance of fulfilling campaign promises. The decision to deny access to Lapang Merdeka, coupled with the mayor’s subsequent explanation, has fueled perceptions of inconsistency and a lack of respect for the Muhammadiyah community. Muhammadiyah is one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, known for its progressive approach to education and social welfare. Its members represent a significant portion of the population in Sukabumi, making the incident particularly sensitive.
Mayor Zaki has indicated his intention to convene a meeting with Islamic organizations, religious leaders, and Islamic boarding schools in April 2026 to address the issue of differing dates for Eid prayers and to establish a more comprehensive communication strategy. “We will gather all Islamic organizations and Islamic figures, as well as Islamic boarding schools, to discuss how to address future differences in the timing of Eid prayers in April,” Zaki stated. Whether this dialogue will be sufficient to restore trust and prevent similar incidents in the future remains to be seen.
The Sukabumi case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent governance, inclusive decision-making, and the need for political leaders to uphold their commitments to all segments of society. The incident also highlights the ongoing challenges of navigating religious diversity in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
The Sukabumi city government is expected to release a formal statement outlining its plans for improved interfaith communication in the coming weeks. Further updates on this developing story will be provided as they become available.
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