“Indonesia is a country that is plural and has diversity. This mosque should become a symbol of Islam that is friendly, moderate and acknowledges diversity in Jakarta in particular and Indonesia in general,” said the President on Saturday.

He further said the Jakarta administration’s decision to name its first grand mosque after Hasyim Asy’ari, the founder of Indonesia’s largest Islam organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, was not without reason. Hasyim was a national hero who loved his country wholeheartedly, he added.

“As an ulama [Islamic scholar], the founder of NU, he laid the foundation of friendly religious life in the country,” said Jokowi.

(Read also: Why was inauguration of Hasyim Asy’ari Grand Mosque moved up a day?)

He further said all Indonesians should see Hasyim as a role model in developing Indonesian values and religious practices.

Jokowi said the grand mosque was a form of the government’s and the Jakarta administration’s commitment to supporting the fulfillment of the rights of the country’s citizens.

“The government is fulfilling the rights of its citizens to have a religion and to perform religious services. When I served as Jakarta governor, I laid the first stone for the construction of this mosque in 2013. Before that, Jakarta did not have a grand mosque,” said Jokowi. (mrc/ebf)

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