The International Grand Imams Conference (IGIC) 2026 has agreed to establish the International Assembly of Mosque Imams (IAMI). Minister of Religious Affairs and Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, was entrusted with serving as its first president. IGIC 2026 also produced a joint agreement titled the “Jakarta Understanding.”

IGIC 2026 took place September 25–27 in Jakarta. The event drew participants from many regions. The Grand Imam of Europe's largest mosque, located in Rome and known for his closeness to the Pope, was in attendance. Latin America was represented by Argentina, followed by the Scandinavian countries, France, and the United Kingdom. From Asia, representatives came from Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and India, while Malaysia took an active part on behalf of Southeast Asia. From within Indonesia, the entire leadership of the Mosque Imams Brotherhood Association (IPIM), along with the grand imam of each province, also took part.

The election of Minister Nasaruddin Umar as IAMI President was welcomed by the grand imams, muftis, and country delegations attending IGIC 2026. The Minister asked for the support of the world's grand imams as he takes on this responsibility. He pledged to carry out the duty well and said he was ready to devote his energy, thought, and time for the welfare of the community.

“I feel unworthy of being chosen to lead the grand imams; I fear disappointing the hopes placed in me here. So if it is indeed God's will to choose me as leader, I hope you will understand my weaknesses and help me overcome them,” he said in Jakarta on Sunday (9/27/2026).

The Minister thanked everyone for the trust placed in him. He also expressed hope that the world's grand imams would help him carry out this mandate.

The Minister stressed that mosques must once again play a strategic role in community life. In his view, a mosque should not be seen solely as a place of worship, but also as a space that empowers the community, brings people together, and delivers benefit to humanity.

“We have to change how we see the mosque. Until now, it has been the community that empowers the mosque, but we must reverse this, it is the mosque that must empower the community,” the Minister said.

The Minister explained that in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the mosque's function was not limited to worship. The mosque was also a place for education, community empowerment, consultation, meetings, and a space that brought together people from all walks of society.

“The mosque is not just a place, but also a place for empowering the community. The mosque was the state secretariat, the secretariat for empowering imams. The mosque was also the baitul mal (public treasury) in its time," he affirmed.

Getting to Know IAMI

IAMI was formed in response to extensive input from imams, muftis, and delegates from 46 countries at IGIC 2026. IAMI is an international organization that positions mosques not only as places of worship, but also as centers for education, community development, social solidarity, moral guidance, and peacebuilding.

Imams today face considerable challenges, including religious intolerance, social fragmentation, environmental challenges, youth issues, poverty, misinformation, humanitarian crises, and the need for constructive interfaith and international dialogue. IAMI, known in Indonesian as the Majelis Grand Imam Internasional, is a permanent international platform. Through this body, imams and recognized religious leaders can exchange knowledge, strengthen cooperation, promote peaceful religious discourse, and contribute to the well-being of humanity.

IAMI's vision is to become a leading global platform that unites imams in promoting harmonious communities, responsible religious leadership, human dignity, and lasting peace. The President will serve as IAMI's chief representative, with responsibilities including: representing IAMI internationally; chairing the Supreme Council; leading international diplomatic and religious engagement; promoting the assembly's mission; and coordinating with major international religious institutions. The president's term is three years and may be extended once.

IAMI has five strategic pillars and programs: Mosque Harmony, Imam Leadership, Religious Diplomacy, Global Peace and Humanitarian Action, and Sustainable Mosques and Communities. IAMI is headquartered in Jakarta, which serves as its permanent secretariat and administrative center. Regional offices will be based in Kuala Lumpur (Asia), Cairo (Middle East), Nairobi (Africa), London (Europe), New York (North America), Rio de Janeiro (South America), and Canberra (Australia and the Pacific).

IAMI will hold monthly virtual meetings of the world's grand imams to jointly discuss issues facing the Muslim community. The Minister hopes that, at a later stage, organizers can invite leaders of other houses of worship, such as churches, synagogues, and viharas (Buddhist temples), to discuss humanitarian and environmental concerns.

“We will not talk about practical politics or matters that disturb our shared comfort, but rather align our understanding that humanity is one. We follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who during his lifetime was able to bridge all differences so that conflict disappeared.”

Jakarta Understanding

In addition to forming IAMI and electing its President, IGIC 2026 also produced the “Jakarta Understanding.” This declaration contains several points of agreement that position imams as important actors in religious diplomacy.

“Through the Jakarta Understanding, the Grand Imams convey the message that peace is the shared responsibility of humanity and that mosques can serve as bridges connecting differences,” the Minister said.

“The Jakarta Understanding also underscores that religious diplomacy can strengthen diplomacy between nations, and affirms full support for the rights of the Palestinian people,” he added.

Below is the full text of the Jakarta Understanding as delivered at the closing of IGIC 2026:

JAKARTA UNDERSTANDING

On Mosque Harmony, Religious Diplomacy, and Global Peace
International Grand Imams Conference (IGIC) 2026, Jakarta, Indonesia

From Jakarta, Indonesia, we, the Grand Imams, convey a message to the world community: that peace is the shared responsibility of humanity; that mosques can serve as bridges connecting differences; that religious diplomacy can strengthen diplomacy between nations; and that a peaceful future for the world can only be built through a spirit of humanity and brotherhood that transcends the boundaries of nations, cultures, and beliefs. Therefore, we, the Grand Imams from around the world, call upon all Mosque Imams:

1. To carry out a strategic role, not only as leaders of worship, but also as conflict mediators, unifiers of diversity, and moral guides for society. Mosque imams should also actively make religious institutions open, inclusive community spaces oriented toward humanity and civilization.

2. To become agents driving world peace who are committed to protecting human dignity regardless of ethnic, religious, national, or gender background. Mosque imams should also pioneer character education, instill the values of moderation, tolerance, love, compassion, and respect for difference, and strengthen digital literacy.

3. To strive for social justice and guarantee the protection of human rights, by creating environments that are safe, fair, and friendly to children, women, persons with disabilities, minorities, and other vulnerable groups, while also supporting family resilience.

4. To advance religious diplomacy and interfaith dialogue to prevent conflict, build mutual trust, and strengthen global reconciliation. Mosque imams can also stand on the front lines in rejecting all forms of extremism and violence, the misuse of religion, hoaxes, and hate speech.

5. To affirm a shared commitment to building ecotheological awareness, preserving the balance of nature, stopping environmental destruction, and encouraging mosques and religious communities to become pioneers of the earth's sustainability for future generations.

6. To collaborate on a global scale with international institutions, governments, and civil society in order to realize a world that is just, dignified, and peaceful for all humankind.

7. To affirm full support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, the protection of civilians, the upholding of international law, and the realization of lasting independence, justice, peace, and dignity for Palestine. Jakarta, Indonesia, September 27, 2026.

(Bureau of Public Relations and Public Communication)