ISLAMABAD: The embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad on Saturday organised a pre-Independence Day event featuring traditional games, sports competitions, an archipelagic cuisine bazaar and a community gathering as part of a series of events ahead of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Anniversary.
According to a statement, the programme started with a community gym session at Garuda Lawn, inside the embassy premises. Indonesian nationals and their families gathered and followed the gymnastic movements demonstrated by Rama Fauzan, an Indonesian student at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), along with his Pakistani counterpart, Maryam.
Chandra W Sukotjo, Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, welcomed members of the Indonesian community living in various cities across Pakistan and representing different backgrounds.
Alongside Indonesian diplomats and their families, the gathering was attended by Indonesian students, pilots, journalists, staff members of several international organisations based in Pakistan, and housewives married to Pakistanis. In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Chandra W Sukotjo expressed his pleasure at seeing Indonesian and Pakistani friends gathered together.
“Your presence reflects the enduring friendship and strong people-to-people bonds between the two brotherly countries, as we celebrate together Indonesia’s Independence Day with the motto, ‘Indonesia Berdaulat, Adil dan Makmur’ (Indonesia Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous),” said the ambassador, welcoming all Indonesian nationals at the embassy as their home.
In keeping with the warm and welcoming spirit of the occasion, guests were presented with red and white shirts featuring a Batik pattern from Kalimantan, showcasing Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and national pride.
Ambassador Chandra described the shirts as “a gift from the Indonesian taxpayers”, allowing all to share in the warmth, pride and togetherness associated with Indonesia’s Independence celebration.
One of the highlights was the Indonesian food bazaar, featuring popular foods such as Nasi Padang (Padang-style rice), Siomay Ikan (steamed fish dumplings), Bakso Kuah (meatball soup), Es Cendol (sweet iced dessert), Peyek/Rempeyek (crispy peanut crackers), Mendoan (fried tempe) and Kacang Telur (seasoned egg-coated peanuts), offering participants a delightful taste of Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage.
“It is wonderful to enjoy authentic Indonesian food. Although we live far from one another, this occasion brings us together as one family as Indonesians and gives us a beautiful sense of home and belonging,” said Desi Mediawati, an Indonesian national married to a Pakistani from Faisalabad.
The festive atmosphere continued with traditional Indonesian games for children and adults, including the popular Balap Karung (Sack Race), Tarik Tambang (Tug of War) and Joget Tomat (Tomato Dance), creating laughter, excitement and friendly competition among participants of all ages.
The occasion also carried special significance for Indonesian students living in Pakistan. “Although we are far from our homeland, this celebration makes us feel at home,” said Muhsin Nasir, head of the Indonesian Student Association in Pakistan.
The sports competition featured badminton, table tennis, volleyball and futsal tournaments, promoting teamwork, healthy competition and camaraderie among the Indonesian community, embassy officials, students and the wider diaspora.
Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026