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| Buton Sultanate Honors Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar With Prestigious Traditional Title. |
The Buton Sultanate once again reaffirmed its role as a guardian of Islamic heritage and local wisdom in Indonesia. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, was officially awarded a prestigious traditional honorary title during a solemn ceremony held at the Baruga of the Buton Royal Palace in Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi.
The honorary title bestowed upon the Minister was Mia Ogena I Sara Agama, a designation rich in cultural and spiritual meaning. Kapitalau Aukanoyo of the Buton Sultanate, La Ode Hasmin Ilimi, explained that Mia Ogena refers to a great statesman or noble leader of the land, while I Sara Agama represents responsibility over religious governance. Combined, the title signifies a senior national figure entrusted with leading and safeguarding religious affairs within government.
La Ode Hasmin emphasized that a Mia Ogena is expected to embody the core virtues of Islamic leadership, including truthfulness, wisdom, integrity, accountability, and trustworthiness. Every action, word, and decision should reflect devotion to the people, the nation, and the state, while upholding obedience to God, love for the Prophet Muhammad, and pride in one’s faith.
The ceremony was attended by Sultan of Buton La Ode Muhamad Kariu, Governor of Southeast Sulawesi Andi Sumangerukka, Baubau Mayor Yusran Fahim, South Buton Regent Muhammad Adios, Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for Southeast Sulawesi Mansur, and Acting Head of the Baubau City Religious Affairs Office Khairiyati Rahmah.
In his remarks, Minister Nasaruddin Umar expressed deep humility and emotion upon receiving the traditional title. He admitted that he initially questioned whether he was worthy of such an honor.
“Deep in my heart, I asked myself whether I truly deserve a title this great and this heavy with responsibility. Personally, I may not feel like the most deserving person. However, I understand that this honor represents the hopes and expectations of His Majesty the Sultan and the people of Buton,” the Minister said.
He added that the title would serve as a powerful reminder and motivation to serve the Muslim community even better. According to him, the heavier the responsibility entrusted to someone, if carried out sincerely, the greater the divine assistance and acceptance of prayers from Allah Almighty.
During the same occasion, the Minister also shared his close personal connection with the people of Buton. As a concrete expression of that bond, he has established the Al-Ikhlas Islamic Boarding School on Buton Island, which currently accommodates nearly 500 students. He also revealed plans to build more Islamic boarding schools in the future.
“Islamic boarding schools and madrasahs are the educational foundation of the future. Today, even Indonesia’s elite increasingly choose madrasahs for their children because of their strong moral education and academic excellence,” he explained.
According to the Minister, pesantren and madrasahs have consistently produced high-quality graduates with relatively affordable costs and promising outcomes. Many leading madrasahs now even have long waiting lists due to their outstanding achievements.
Minister Nasaruddin Umar also highlighted Buton’s strategic historical role in the spread and development of Islam across the archipelago. For that reason, he urged the community to continue preserving Islamic traditions and local culture, strengthening worship practices, and ensuring mosques remain vibrant centers of religious life.
“The true measure of success for a Minister of Religious Affairs is not the number of awards received, but how much closer the people grow to their religious teachings,” he firmly stated.
Meanwhile, Southeast Sulawesi Governor Andi Sumangerukka stressed that the conferral of traditional titles within the Buton Sultanate carries profound meaning. Such honors are granted only to individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership, wisdom, and moral character worthy of emulation.
He described the awarding of the Mia Ogena I Sara Agama title to the Minister of Religious Affairs as a powerful symbol of harmony between national values, religious principles, and local cultural wisdom. According to the Governor, Minister Nasaruddin Umar fully deserves the title due to his consistent dedication to upholding religious dignity while strengthening national unity.
“He is a role model who has devoted himself wholeheartedly to preserving the sanctity of religion as the spiritual foundation of society, while at the same time reinforcing national cohesion,” the Governor said.
The Governor expressed hope that this honorary title would further strengthen the Minister’s commitment in carrying out his responsibilities and inspire others to contribute positively to the life of the nation and its people. He also conveyed appreciation to the Buton Sultanate’s Customary and Cultural Institution for its dedication to preserving local traditions aligned with regional development.
In closing, the Governor invited all stakeholders to continue working together to build a progressive, secure, prosperous, and religious Southeast Sulawesi, without losing the cultural identity inherited from past generations.
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