A video falsely depicting a Christmas celebration at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta has circulated online, misleadingly claiming it represents Christians celebrating the holiday in a Muslim venue. The footage, which actually captures an event commemorating Indonesia’s independence, has sparked significant backlash and accusations of excessive religious tolerance.
The nearly four-minute video features attendees dressed in red and white, the national colors of Indonesia, singing the country’s national anthem, and has been shared widely across social media platforms. The video’s caption claims, “For the first time, Christmas was celebrated at the Istiqlal Mosque.” It further states that the event exemplifies a troubling form of religious tolerance.
According to the Pew Research Center, Christians make up around 11 percent of Indonesia’s population, which is predominantly Muslim. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom reported in September 2025 that, despite constitutional guarantees for religious freedom, religious minorities in Indonesia face ongoing discrimination and challenges.
Following the Christmas Day incident, users commented on social media expressing alarm over perceived transgressions against Islamic values. One post stated, “We just have to wait for Allah’s punishment if we all remain silent and watch this transgression.” Another user lamented, “Astaghfirullah, the largest mosque in Indonesia turns into a place like this.”
The Istiqlal Mosque official, Abu Hurairah Abdul Salam, firmly refuted the claims, stating that the video was recorded during an event on August 31, 2024. “It is impossible that there was a Christmas celebration at Istiqlal Mosque,” he asserted in a statement to AFP on January 6. The gathering was organized by the Jagat ‘Arsy International Boarding School to honor Indonesia’s independence, featuring religious sermons, prayers, and the national anthem.
A statement released by the school described the attire of attendees as a “symbol of our love for the country.” The Indonesian flag consists of two horizontal bands of red and white, used prominently during the gathering.
Despite the misinformation, local media has previously reported on the challenges faced by religious minorities in Indonesia, highlighting a complex landscape of religious tolerance and freedom.
The video resurfaced after Christmas, with various posts on TikTok and Instagram misrepresenting the event. Previous fact-checking by AFP has debunked similar claims regarding the mosque, including earlier allegations that the video showcased a Christian congregation preparing for a visit by Pope Francis.
Evidence indicates that the event was livestreamed on the JAGAT ‘ARSY YouTube channel, although the content has since been removed. A keyword search confirmed that elements in the circulated video match those seen in the original livestream of the event.
As misinformation continues to spread, the incident underscores the importance of verifying claims and understanding the context of public celebrations in a diverse society like Indonesia.