Jakarta, July 31 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs estimates the national prayer gathering scheduled for August 1 will attract 100,000 participants from various regions to Jakarta's National Monument square.

"We appeal to participants to arrive early to avoid congestion before the event begins," the ministry's Director of Islamic Religious Information Muchlis M. Hanafi remarked in Jakarta on Friday.

He noted that the ministry had taken various measures to prepare for the large turnout, including coordinating with relevant institutions to ensure safety, order, and solemnity during the event, which will kick off a series of activities marking Indonesia's 81st Independence Day anniversary.

As the organizer, the ministry has foc...