Nasaruddin Umar elected first President of IAMI

Nasaruddin Umar, the Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs and Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, has been elected as the first President of The International Assembly of Mosque Imams (IAMI). The decision was reached during the International Grand Imams Conference (IGIC) 2026 held in Jakarta.

The conference, which included delegates from 46 countries across regions such as Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Scandinavia, also produced a joint agreement titled ‘Jakarta Understanding’. Participants included representatives from Argentina, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, France, the United Kingdom, and the Grand Imam of Rome.

In his response to the appointment, Nasaruddin Umar emphasized the need to redefine the role of mosques in modern society. He stated that mosques should move beyond being solely places of ritual worship to become centers for community empowerment, education, economic development, and social unity. He noted that historically, mosques served as vital hubs for state administration and community welfare.