FKUB Klaten Regency Enters Assessment Stage of the King Hamad Award 2026*

KLATEN — The Forum for Inter-Religious Harmony (FKUB) of Klaten Regency, Central Java, has brought the message and spirit of maintaining harmony and tolerance to the global stage through inter-religious figures who are members of the Harmony Community of Inter-Religious People (PKUB) of Villages/Sub-districts throughout Klaten Regency by participating in the King Hamad Award for Coexistence and Tolerance 2026. This international award from Bahrain appreciates efforts to build a harmonious life amid diversity in society.

This participation is an opportunity for FKUB of Klaten Regency to introduce its experience in maintaining harmony and tolerance to the international community.

The Chairman of FKUB of Klaten Regency, KH. Syamsuddin Asyrofi, said that all documents and the seven parts of the nomination requirements have been successfully fulfilled by FKUB of Klaten Regency. Currently, the participation process of FKUB of Klaten Regency has entered the assessment stage by the organizer.

“All documents and the seven parts of the nomination requirements have been successfully fulfilled by us. Currently, the participation of FKUB of Klaten Regency is entering the assessment process by the organizer,” said Syamsuddin Asyrofi on Wednesday, (28/10/2026).

According to him, this stage is the most important part in the effort to introduce various practices of harmony and tolerance that are developing in the community of Klaten Regency.

The King Hamad Award for Coexistence and Tolerance is open to individuals and institutions (organizations) from various countries. The assessment is carried out by considering a number of aspects, including documents on institutional legality, harmony program initiatives, evidence of implementation of activities in the field, real impact of the program, sustainability, innovation, relevance, clarity of funding, recommendations, and the methods used in building tolerance and a peaceful life.

Through this participation, FKUB of Klaten Regency seeks to show that harmony and tolerance are not just slogans, but something that has been realized through real actions in daily life.

This participation also continues the achievement of Klaten Regency in 2025, where FKUB of Klaten Regency successfully won first place nationally in the Harmony Award 2025 organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Previously, in 2021, FKUB of Klaten Regency also received the same award, also as first place nationally in the Harmony Award organized by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

These achievements are important capital to continue strengthening relations among religious communities. However, efforts to maintain harmony still require the involvement of the government, religious leaders, community organizations, and all levels of society.

Amid conflict, identity polarization, and intolerance issues that remain challenges in various parts of the world, the experience of Klaten brings the message that peace can start from the closest environment in each Village/Sub-district by forming PKUB.

Syamsuddin Asyrofi said that participation in this international event is not solely oriented towards the big prize of US$ 1 million (more than 16.5 billion rupiah), but beyond that, this participation is an effort to expand the contribution of FKUB of Klaten Regency in encouraging global dialogue on harmony, tolerance, brotherhood, and a peaceful life.

For the people of Klaten Regency, diversity of religion, culture, and belief is part of shared life that needs to be maintained together among inter-religious figures.

“Differences should not be a reason to be divided or in conflict, but should instead be a strength to build civilization and peace,” he said.

Until now, the final results of the competition have not been announced because the assessment process is still ongoing. Nevertheless, this participation has opened opportunities for FKUB of Klaten Regency to introduce its experience in maintaining harmony to the international community.

From PKUB Villages/Sub-districts in Klaten to the world, it brings the message that harmony does not fall from the sky, but harmony must be pursued, maintained, and fought for through the roles of inter-religious figures and community leaders so that social harmony can grow through mutual respect, dialogue, and continuous cooperation in the life of community, nation, and state.
_(Moch. Isnaeni)_