A wedding ceremony led by a religious affairs official from the Setiabudi District Religious Affairs Office (KUA), South Jakarta, has drawn public attention after a video of the event circulated widely on social media.
The ceremony involved an Indonesian woman, Anggita, and a German national, who were married in accordance with Islamic law. What made the event notable was that the marriage was conducted in fluent English, alongside Indonesian and German.
The ceremony was led by Muhammad Zidni Ilmi, a marriage registrar at the Setiabudi KUA. In a video uploaded to his personal Instagram account, @mzilmi, Zidni is seen guiding the couple through the marriage process while switching between three languages.
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Ceremony Conducted in Indonesian, English, and German
During the ceremony, Zidni delivered the marriage proceedings in Indonesian, English, and German to ensure that both parties fully understood the process. Before the marriage vows were pronounced, he explained the meaning of the vows in all three languages and later led prayers for the couple.
Despite the language transitions, the ceremony proceeded smoothly. The multilingual approach allowed both the bride and groom to follow each stage of the marriage clearly, including the religious obligations and legal implications.
International marriages are not uncommon in Indonesia. However, ceremonies conducted in multiple foreign languages remain relatively rare at district-level Offices of Religious Affairs, particularly outside international religious institutions or private venues.
Experience with International Couples and Ministry Support
Zidni said that officiating marriages involving foreign nationals is not new to him. He has previously handled several international marriages during his tenure as a marriage registrar.
“I haven’t had many marriages between Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals. So far, I have officiated marriages involving foreigners from Tanzania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Germany,” Zidni told Kompas.com on Monday (February 2, 2026).
A graduate of Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, Zidni said he regularly participates in language competency training organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. He said clear communication is essential in marriage ceremonies, particularly when the couple comes from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
According to Zidni, ensuring that both parties understand the meaning and consequences of their marriage vows is a core responsibility of the KUA. He added that language should not become a barrier to public service.
Zidni’s actions also received recognition from the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Saiful Rahmat Syafi’i. The Deputy Minister said Zidni reflects the profile of a modern marriage registrar who is able to adapt to contemporary needs in public service.
