Pope Francis kicks off Asia tour with interfaith meeting at Indonesia’s Istiqlal Mosque

As Pope Francis embarks on his highly anticipated Asia tour next week, one of his first major stops will be at Indonesia’s renowned Istiqlal Mosque. 

The 87-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, known for his commitment to fostering religious dialogue, will host an interfaith meeting with representatives from Indonesia’s six officially recognized religions. 

This visit comes at a time when the nation, often celebrated for its religious tolerance, is grappling with rising challenges to its image of moderation.

Pope Francis, who has faced numerous health issues and now relies on a wheelchair, will start his journey in Jakarta on September 3, where he is scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo. 

During his visit to Istiqlal Mosque, the Pope will engage with delegates from Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. Indonesia, a country where approximately 87% of its 280 million citizens are Muslim, also has one of the largest Christian populations in Asia, with Catholics making up just 2.9% of the total population.

The Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, serves as a powerful symbol of Indonesia’s fight for independence from Dutch colonial rule. 

It stands opposite the Roman Catholic Our Lady of The Assumption Cathedral, with the two religious sites connected by the “Tunnel of Friendship,” a symbolic underpass representing religious tolerance.

The Pope is expected to walk through this tunnel, further emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence.

Istiqlal Mosque’s Grand Imam, Nasaruddin Umar, expressed pride that Indonesia was chosen as the first stop on the Pope’s Asian tour. 

He emphasized the importance of using this visit to highlight commonalities between different religions and ethnicities, especially in a nation with a diverse and pluralistic society. 

Despite Indonesia’s constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, the country has faced instances of intolerance in recent years, including the imprisonment of Jakarta’s Christian governor for blasphemy and violence against religious minorities.

Local residents and religious leaders alike are optimistic about the impact of Pope Francis’s visit. Cantika Syamsinur, a 23-year-old college student, welcomed the Pope’s arrival, hoping it would foster greater respect among Indonesia’s diverse religious communities. 

Catholic Priest Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, a spokesperson for the Pope’s visit, expressed hope that the interfaith meeting would lead to positive change at the grassroots level, advocating for humanity and social justice. 

The Pope’s visit, originally planned for 2020 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marks an important historic moment for Indonesia.