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President Jokowi breaks ground on Rp 940 billion mosque project in Nusantara
The mosque, which can accommodate 61,000 worshipers, will be constructed in the complex designated for places of worship for all faiths in the country. The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority plans to also build a church and cathedral, and Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese temples on the site.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (center) joined by State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir (second right) and member of the Presidential Advisory Council Gandhi Sulistiyanto (right), take a tour around the new capital Nusantara in East Kalimantan on Jan. 17, 2024. (The Jakarta Post/Antara)
P
resident Joko "Jokowi" Widodo flew to East Kalimantan on Wednesday to inaugurate a number of infrastructure projects at the planned new capital Nusantara, including the construction of a Rp 940 billion (US$62 million) mosque.
The mosque, which can accommodate 61,000 worshipers, will be constructed in the complex designated for places of worship for all faiths in the country. The Nusantara Capital City (IKN) Authority plans to also build a church and cathedral, and Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese temples on the site.
"This will show that we're a diverse nation but we are striving to maintain harmony for the country's unity," President Jokowi said in his speech as quoted by Antara.
Jokowi also said that the architectural style for the mosque, which he claimed could represent Indonesia's indigenous culture, could be an inspiration for the world.
"I want this mosque to be the example for other mosques in the world," he said.
The IKN Authority said that the mosque could be completed in a little over one year.
Joining the President in the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday were Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, IKN Authority chief Bambang Susantono, Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Agus Subiyanto and National Police chief Gen. Lisyto Sigit Prabowo.
Late last year, the President broke ground on the construction of an airport in Nusantara.
The 347-hectare airport is expected to be fully operational by December 2024, with limited operations starting in June. The airport, costing Rp 4.3 trillion, is located about 43 kilometers from the center of Nusantara, and will be connected by an existing road and a 23-km toll road.
