Indonesian Officials Meet with Controversial Islamist Leader Rizieq Shihab

Jakarta, Indonesia – Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad and Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi met with Rizieq Shihab, a prominent figure in the Islamic Brotherhood Front (FPI), at his residence in Petamburan, Jakarta, on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

The meeting was confirmed by Aziz Yanuar, Rizieq Shihab’s lawyer, on Monday, March 9, 2026. “Yes (met Habib Rizieq), yesterday afternoon,” Yanuar stated when contacted by CNN Indonesia. CNN Indonesia reported.

Silaturahmi and Discussion with Government Officials

Aziz Yanuar described the meeting as a routine silaturahmi (a visit to strengthen social bonds) between representatives and the government team, intended for discussion and exchange of opinions with religious leaders (ulama). He indicated that the meeting involved a discussion of government policies.

“What is good and correct we support, what is not good we correct and remind. The aim is good and in a good way and at a good time,” Yanuar said, as reported by CNN Indonesia.

Follow-Up to Presidential Meeting with Islamic Leaders

The meeting between Dasco Ahmad, Prasetyo Hadi, and Rizieq Shihab occurred shortly after President Prabowo Subianto invited ulama, leaders of Islamic organizations, and leaders of Islamic boarding schools to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, March 5, 2026. At that meeting, Rizieq Shihab was represented by his son-in-law, Habib Muhammad Hanif Alatas, who is similarly the Secretary of the Syuro Council of the Islamic Brotherhood Front.

According to Tempo.co, previous meetings in August 2024 between Gerindra officials Dasco Ahmad and Habiburokhman with Rizieq Shihab focused on requests for a meritocratic cabinet and continued protection of the Muslim community under the Prabowo administration, as well as a call for a thorough investigation into the KM 50 incident.