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Pope praises Istiqlal, 'tunnel of friendship' as symbols of interfaith harmony
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Pope Francis (center) and Istiqlal Mosque grand imam Nasaruddin Umar (center left) pose for a photo following a meeting with religious leaders at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Sept. 5, 2024. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba/Pool)
P
ope Francis praised Indonesia on Thursday for fostering a sense of friendship among different religious groups as he visited Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, located just across the street from the Jakarta Cathedral, in one of the final set pieces of the pontiff’s three-day visit to the country.
Accompanied by a marawis percussion ensemble often found in Islamic ceremonies, the 87-year-old pope was warmly welcomed by the mosque’s Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, who subsequently led him to a table where a declaration document was ready to sign.
Leaders representing all six officially recognized religious beliefs in the country stood before both leaders as they signed a document calling for joint action in solving humanitarian and environmental crises currently facing the world.
Following the signing, Nasaruddin introduced the pope to the so-called “tunnel of friendship” that connects one of the largest mosques in Asia to the Jakarta Cathedral.
“Please let me introduce you to the tunnel that was built in 2020 by President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo to link the two houses of worship,” he said.
The pontiff responded by congratulating all different elements in the country for managing to build such an impressive facility crucial for strengthening interfaith ties.
“We, the believers from different religious traditions, have one task to do, which is to help everyone walking down this tunnel with their eyes fixed on the light,” the pope said.
