JAKARTA, Indonesia.- This Tuesday, the Pope Francis arrived at Jakarta, Indonesiafirst stage of its long Journey through Asia and Oceaniawhere you want Renewing ties with Islam in a “tolerant” country and “an example of coexistence,” as the Spanish priest explained to the media Victor Gilwho has been working in Indonesia for 11 years.
Pope Francis will spend the day resting and, tomorrow Wednesday, will begin the official agenda at the country with the largest number of Muslims in the worldsome 240 million, but where Catholics, although a minority, 3.1%, are 8 million and represent the most important community in Asia after the Philippines and China.
Father Gil, who is a Piarist from Avila, Spain, who has been in Indonesia for eleven years, where he has set up educational centres for children and a boarding school so that young people from rural environments can study, explains that “the The experience of living together is very positiveof respect and collaboration.”
“There may be exceptions, there may be isolated cases, but if we talk about the general tone, I would say that there is great tolerance and great respect. No one normally dares to bother or insult another’s religion. There are many, many mixed families: the father is of one religion, the mother of another, so they are very used to it,” he explains from the Indonesian part of the country. Timor Island.
A great connoisseur of Indonesia, the priest explains that “the pace of life, customs, holidays are marked by Islamic traditionsbut they are very respectful, perhaps because of their calm nature or because of their Buddhist and Hindu roots prior to Islam.”
He emphasizes that the Holy Father, with this trip, “is going to Deepening interreligious dialogue for peace“As he already did with meetings with other Muslim leaders or with the signing of the Declaration of the Abu Dhabi Fraternitywho signed together with the Imam of Al Azahar in Cairo“.
“Islamic leaders have received the Pope’s visit as good news” because “it reinforces this line of coexistence and tolerance, which they have been striving for for years, especially the President Joko Widodowhose term is ending,” he added.
It is “a country where there is a religious plurality accepted, desired and sanctioned by the Constitution, an example for others.”
The ÍInterfaith Harmony Index 2023 The government’s score is high at 76.02 nationally, but in recent years there have been some attacks by Islamic extremist groups like those a month ago against two Catholic churches in East Java.
While, on the other hand, some human rights associations such as Human Rights Watch They denounce the excessive application of the blasphemy law, which punishes insulting the central principles of the six officially recognized religions from Indonesia: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
The key day of the visit of the Bishop of Rome to Indonesia will be Thursday, when his visit is scheduled Visit to the Istiqlal Mosquethe largest in Southeast Asia, for a interfaith meeting with representatives of the various confessions and in which an important document will be signed that will address “humanitarian, tolerance and environmental issues”.
Image provided by Vatican media shows Pope Francis (center right) upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
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Image provided by Vatican media shows Pope Francis (center right) upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” alt=”Viaje del Papa por Asia y Oceanía” class=”wp-image-2092251 perfmatters-lazy” src=” srcset=” 1024w, 300w, 768w, 1536w, 2048w, 1200w, 1568w, 2000w, 400w, 706w, 2340w, 370w” data-sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”/><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="2092251" data-permalink="https://www.yucatan.com.mx/mundo/2024/09/03/el-papa-francisco-llega-a-indonesia-donde-iniciara-su-gira-por-asia-y-oceania.html/attachment/pope-francis-visits-jakarta-indonesia-2" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newspack-yucatan.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/09/348908ca-7cda-454a-9cc0-722a3b7db49a-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1706" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"EFE","camera":"","caption":"Jakarta (Indonesia), 03/09/2024.- A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (C-R) meeting with a group of refugees, orphaned children, elderly people and homeless people, upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, 03 September 2024. Pope Francis is on an apostolic visit to the Muslim-majority country from 03 to 06 September and is expected to meet with interfaith leaders at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, to promote peace and dialogue among different religious communities. He will also meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and lead a mass prayer with 80,000 worshippers at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. (Papa) EFE/EPA/VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES","created_timestamp":"1725350851","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Pope Francis visits Jakarta, Indonesia","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Pope Francis visits Jakarta, Indonesia" data-image-description="
Image provided by Vatican media shows Pope Francis (center right) upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
” data-image-caption=”
Image provided by Vatican media shows Pope Francis (center right) upon his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=” alt=”Viaje del Papa por Asia y Oceanía” class=”wp-image-2092251″ srcset=” 1024w, 300w, 768w, 1536w, 2048w, 1200w, 1568w, 2000w, 400w, 706w, 2340w, 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”/>
Above all, there will be the top leaders of ‘Nahdlatul Ulama’ and ‘Muhammadiyah’, the historical and widespread organisations of “Islam Nusantara” (“The Islam of the Archipelago”) that advocate a tolerant Islam.
“The Istiqlal Mosque will witness this historic event, where the world will be able to see that tolerance and harmony are defended in Indonesia,” he explained. Nasaruddin Umarhe Grand Imam of the mosque when announcing it.
Likewise, Peter’s successor will be able to observe the ‘Tunnel of friendship’an underground passage that connects Jakarta’s Catholic Cathedral with the Istiqlal Mosqueas a symbol of unity between the two religions.— (According to information from Cristina Cabrejas).
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2024-09-12 15:31:52
Pope will come to Indonesia
Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to Indonesia: A Beacon of Interfaith Harmony
Pope Francis has embarked on a historic journey to Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, to promote interfaith dialogue and strengthen ties with the Islamic community. This visit marks the first stage of his long-awaited journey through Asia and Oceania, where he aims to renew ties with Islam in a “tolerant” country and “an example of coexistence” [[1]].
Indonesia, a country with a rich cultural heritage, is home to a diverse population of approximately 240 million Muslims, as well as 8 million Catholics, who represent the most significant Christian community in Asia after the Philippines and China [[1]]. Despite being a minority, Catholics in Indonesia have played a crucial role in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
Father Victor Gil, a Spanish priest who has been working in Indonesia for 11 years, praised the country’s tolerant nature, citing the peaceful coexistence of different religious communities [[1]]. “The experience of living together is very positive, with respect and collaboration,” he said, highlighting the importance of mixed families, where parents from different religious backgrounds come together to form a harmonious household [[1]].
Pope Francis, known for his commitment to interfaith dialogue, has repeatedly emphasized the significance of recognizing and respecting each other’s faiths. During his visit to Indonesia, he praised the “tunnel of friendship” that links Jakarta’s mosque and cathedral, symbolizing the strong bond between Muslims and Catholics in the country [[3]].
The Pope’s visit has been welcomed by Islamic leaders, who view it as an opportunity to reinforce the values of coexistence and tolerance that have been championed by the Indonesian government, particularly President Joko Widodo, whose term is ending [[1]]. The Interfaith Harmony Index 2023 ranked Indonesia’s government score high at 76.02 nationally, although recent years have seen some attacks by Islamic extremist groups [[1]].
Despite these challenges, Indonesia remains an exemplary model of religious plurality, with six officially recognized
