As Pope Francis prepares to embark on his Asia tour, one of his early destinations will be Indonesia's renowned Istiqlal mosque. The 87-year-old leader of the Catholic Church will convene an interfaith gathering with representatives from Indonesia's six officially recognized religions, highlighting the nation's commitment to religious tolerance amidst growing challenges.
During his four-nation visit, Pope Francis will commence his journey in Jakarta on September 3, where he is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. At Istiqlal mosque, the Argentine Jesuit known for his advocacy of religious dialogue will engage with delegates representing Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism.
Indonesia, with a population of 280 million, predominantly practices Islam, with 87% of its people adhering to the faith. However, the country also boasts the third-largest Christian population in Asia, following the Philippines and China, with Catholics comprising only 2.9% of the total populace.
The Istiqlal mosque, meaning 'independence' in Arabic, stands as the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, spanning over 22 acres. Situated across from the mosque is the Roman Catholic Our Lady of The Assumption Cathedral, symbolizing the peaceful coexistence of religions. The two sites are connected by the 'Tunnel of Friendship,' a 28-meter underpass designed as a gesture of religious tolerance.
Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar expressed pride in Pope Francis choosing Indonesia as his first stop in Asia, emphasizing the importance of discussing commonalities among religious communities. Despite facing challenges in a diverse society, Umar stressed the need for unity under God.
While Indonesia's constitution guarantees religious freedom, recent years have seen a rise in intolerance, including the persecution of religious minorities and incidents of violence. The pope's visit is seen as an opportunity to promote mutual respect and understanding among different faiths.
Anticipation for the pope's visit is high, with hopes that the interreligious meeting will foster positive changes at the grassroots level. Religious leaders like Catholic Priest Thomas Ulun Ismoyo believe the pope's visit will inspire a more just and humane world, where tolerance and coexistence prevail.
College student Cantika Syamsinur welcomed the pope's visit, emphasizing the importance of respecting all religions in Indonesia. As the trip was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, the upcoming visit is viewed as a historic moment by many, signaling a renewed commitment to interfaith dialogue and harmony.
