- Tunnel symbolizes religious freedom amid intolerance.
- Pope Francis will celebrate Mass for 80,000.
- Pope kissed Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar's hand
Pope Francis and Nasaruddin Umar, the grand imam of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, have issued a joint declaration emphasizing the importance of interfaith solidarity and a unified stance against religious violence. The declaration also highlights the need for collective action to safeguard the environment.
During his visit to Indonesia, the 87-year-old Pope met with Nasaruddin at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. This meeting took place on Thursday, marking the third day of Pope Francis’s tour of Asia Pacific, which will also include stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Nasaruddin Umar, 65, emphasized that the joint declaration signed with Pope Francis carries two fundamental messages: the essential unity of humanity, regardless of differences, and the urgent need to address environmental challenges. He pointed out that the declaration advocates for a recognition of our shared humanity and a collaborative effort to protect our planet.
During his speech at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, Pope Francis highlighted the commonalities among different religions. He noted that a profound understanding reveals that all people are essentially brothers and sisters on a shared spiritual journey toward God, despite their differences. The Pope cautioned against the use of religion to fuel conflicts and stressed the importance of focusing on common goals and values.
Pope Francis also addressed the pressing environmental crisis, calling it an existential threat to human civilization. He stressed the need for collective responsibility in tackling crises such as wars, conflicts, and environmental degradation. The Pope framed these challenges as significant obstacles to human growth and coexistence, urging a unified approach to overcome them and foster a more harmonious world.
Upon arriving at Istiqlal Mosque, Pope Francis was greeted by a percussion band traditionally used in Islamic ceremonies. Once seated, he and Nasaruddin Umar listened to a Quranic passage recited by a young blind girl, followed by a reading from the Bible.
Istiqlal Mosque, located directly across from Jakarta’s cathedral, is connected by a symbolic “tunnel of friendship,” representing religious harmony. Prior to their meeting, Pope Francis visited this tunnel, offering his blessings and signing a section of it as a gesture of unity and goodwill.
The tunnel connecting Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta’s cathedral is celebrated in Indonesia as a powerful symbol of religious freedom, a principle enshrined in the country’s constitution. However, this ideal faces challenges amid ongoing instances of discrimination and violence against religious minorities. Amnesty International reported at least 123 cases of intolerance from January 2021 to July 2024, including attacks on places of worship and physical assaults.
Later on Thursday, Pope Francis is scheduled to celebrate Mass at Indonesia’s main football stadium, where nearly 80,000 attendees are expected, with tens of thousands more anticipated outside. The event has drawn visitors from across Indonesia’s extensive archipelago. Catholicism, one of the six officially recognized religions in the country alongside Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism, represents a minority of less than 3 percent of the population—about eight million people—compared to the 87 percent of Indonesians who are Muslim.
During his visit, Pope Francis also engaged in a symbolic gesture of unity, kissing the right hand of Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar after their meeting with religious leaders in Jakarta. This gesture underscored the Pope’s commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and harmony.
