FPI emerged on 17 August 1998 as an outcome of the meeting by religious leaders to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of Indonesian independence. The gathering took place at the "pesantren" (Islamic boarding school) of al-Umm in Ciputat, South Tangerang. It was hosted by Misbahul Anam, an activist of the Indonesian Islam Boyscouts (PII), and attended by religious leaders affiliated with "haba'ib" (scholars from the descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad), notably Muhammad Rizieq Shihab.