Ministry of Religious Affairs Holds Ta'aruf Golek Garwo, 354 Young People Seek Partners

Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has launched "Ta'aruf Golek Garwo," an event designed to provide a safe, educational, and dignified platform for young Muslims seeking life partners. This initiative is part of the broader Peaceful Muharram 1448 Hijriah, Nikah Fest 2026, and Islamic Wedding Expo activities in Jakarta.

The response has been enthusiastic, with 354 young people registering for the matchmaking event by Sunday morning, excluding those who signed up directly at the venue. Abu Rokhmad, Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at Kemenag, stated that the event aims to revive the Sunnah (practices) of the Prophet Muhammad by guiding participants through a religiously compliant process of finding a spouse. "If the intention is for Allah and following the Prophet's Sunnah, then our presence here already contains blessings and rewards," Abu remarked.

Ta'aruf Golek Garwo is more than just a meeting of potential partners; it's intended to foster a dignified courtship process and strengthen the readiness of young Indonesians to build stable families. The event complements the Nikah Fest 2026, which has already featured mass weddings, family education, financial literacy, and zakat (alms) and waqf (endowment) services.

Participants engage in a structured process that includes introductions, communication deepening, and self-reflection (muhasabah). This approach aims to ensure participants get to know potential spouses responsibly. Abu emphasized that ta'aruf, an Islamic concept emphasizing etiquette and honor, encourages mutual understanding and respect, aligning with Quranic verses about people being created in nations and tribes to know one another. The ministry hopes this initiative will encourage more young people to enter into legally registered and responsible marriages.