Minister of Religion Apologizes Over Aceh Traditional Attire Controversy: Balancing Cultural Sensitivity & Religious Respect in Indonesia
JAKARTA, May 13, 2026 — Indonesia’s Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has issued a public apology after wearing traditional Acehnese attire during a greeting for non-Muslim religious celebrations, a move that has ignited a national debate over cultural sensitivity, religious symbolism, and the role of regional traditions in Indonesia’s pluralistic society. The controversy erupted … Read more