Indonesian Ambassador H E Ridwan Hassan visits a stall during the festival.
Doha: The third Indonesian Ramadan Festival was successfully held at the Embassy of Indonesia in Doha during the second week of Ramadan in 2025.
It was a spectacular event that conveys a sense of unity and blessings to the Indonesian community in Qatar. The activity was opened by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Qatar H E Ridwan Hassan.
In his speech, Ambassador Ridwan Hassan highlighted that this gathering is an essential platform for maintaining harmonious relations among Indonesians and other foreign diaspora communities in Qatar as well as for introducing Indonesian cultural values to the larger community.
According to him, this type of action not only enhances or strengthen national identity overseas, but also serves as an efficient form of cultural diplomacy.
This year, a variety of exciting activities for all age groups, from children to adults, were planned to liven up the 3rd Ramadan Festival 2025. The younger generation was given a platform to share their interpretations of the Prophets example through the Kultum Competition for the Adult category and the Storytelling Competition for the Youth Category, which focused on the life stories of the 25 Prophets. In addition, a calligraphy colouring competition for children was organised to promote Islamic art instruction and appreciation, according to Abdul Basit Mukaffi, Chairman of Tanfidziyah PCINU Qatar.
According to Ali Musthofa, Rais Syuriah of PCINU Qatar, the hidden message from this series of activities is the significance of instilling religious values to the younger generation so that they develop morally and spiritually upright personalities as they grow older.
The event, which was attended by more than 500 Indonesians living in Qatar, was lively and full of joy. Ambassador Hassan, stated, “In addition to Islamic-themed competitions, in order to present the nuances of Ramadan in Qatar, we also prepared a traditional Indonesian snack bazaar.”
The bazaar symbolises the Indonesian habit of doing ngabuburit before breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan. Several Indonesian restaurants in Qatar participated to enliven this annual festival.
The festival is a collaboration between the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Doha, PCINU Qatar, and IKA UNPAD Qatar, supported by the Association of Indonesian Communities in Qatar (PERMIQA), as well as organisations and communities of the Indonesian diaspora in Qatar, including the Betawi-Qatar Family (LABEIQ).
Indonesia’s image saw a significant boost when it participated as a partner nation in the Qatar Years of Culture 2023 initiative. The Indonesian community is well-known for its strong participation in cultural promotion activities.
Currently, over 100 expatriate communities reside in Qatar, with India, Bangladesh, and Egypt having the highest numbers. Among Southeast Asians, the Filipino community is the largest. Approximately 25,000 Indonesian citizens live in Qatar, most of whom are professionals in the oil and gas sector.
According to Ivan Rismi Polontalo, Coordinator of Information and Socio-Cultural Functions, Indonesian Embassy in Doha, the Embassy continues to innovate, adapt, and be creative in its guidance to the Indonesian community in Qatar, despite the challenges of the growing number of new Indonesian workers living in Qatar each year.
Furthermore, it was conveyed that similar positive activities will continue to be encouraged and supported by the Indonesian Embassy in Doha in order to maintain the harmony of the Indonesian people, as well as to maintain a positive image of Indonesia in Qatar and throughout the Middle East.
