Pope Francis is set to embark on a significant Asia tour next week, with one of his first stops being at Indonesia's iconic Istiqlal mosque. During this visit, the Pope will hold an interfaith meeting with representatives of the six officially recognized religions in Indonesia—Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. This gathering comes at a critical time for Indonesia, a nation known for its religious tolerance but currently facing challenges that threaten this image.
The visit will commence in Jakarta on September 3, where Pope Francis will meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo before proceeding to the Istiqlal mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia. The mosque stands as a symbol of Indonesia's fight for independence and its commitment to religious harmony. Situated directly across from the Roman Catholic neo-Gothic Our Lady of The Assumption Cathedral, the proximity of these two significant religious sites underscores the potential for peaceful coexistence among different faiths. The Pope is expected to walk through the "Tunnel of Friendship," an underpass connecting the mosque and the cathedral, which is a physical manifestation of Indonesia’s aspirations for religious tolerance.
Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar of Istiqlal mosque expressed pride in Pope Francis choosing Indonesia as the first stop on his Asian tour. He highlighted the importance of using this visit to discuss the common ground shared by different religious communities and to emphasize unity among various ethnicities and beliefs. While Indonesia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, recent years have seen a rise in incidents that challenge the country’s reputation as a moderate Muslim nation. These incidents include the imprisonment of Jakarta’s Christian governor for blasphemy, canings of gay men under Sharia law in Aceh, and reports of violence against religious minorities.
Pope Francis’ visit is highly anticipated by many Indonesians, who hope that it will lead to increased understanding and tolerance across religious communities. Some, like Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, a Catholic priest and spokesperson for the Pope Francis Visitation Committee, believe that religious leaders in Indonesia play a crucial role in guiding the masses and hope that the Pope’s visit will inspire positive change at the grassroots level.
This visit marks the third time a Pope has visited Indonesia, with the original trip planned for 2020 being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The anticipation and emotion surrounding the Pope’s visit are palpable, as many view this as a historic moment that could foster a deeper sense of unity and cooperation among Indonesia’s diverse religious communities. There is a strong hope that the Pope’s interfaith meeting will serve as a catalyst for a more tolerant and peaceful coexistence, reflecting Indonesia’s long-standing ideals of religious harmony.