120 Asian bishops visit Jakarta’s Tunnel of Friendship, praising Indonesia’s powerful living example of religious harmony and interfaith dialogue.
JAKARTA, KalderaNews.com – Imagine walking down a subterranean corridor where the rhythmic beat of an Islamic bedug drum and the resonant chime of Catholic cathedral bells blend seamlessly into a single, harmonious acoustic experience.
This was the breathtaking reality for 120 cardinals and bishops from 22 Asian episcopal conferences who recently stepped into Jakarta’s iconic Tunnel of Friendship (Terowongan Silaturahmi).
Marking the grand finale of the historic 2026 FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences) Plenary Assembly, this visit transcended a mere architectural tour.
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It became a profound global masterclass in peaceful coexistence, spotlighting Indonesia’s vibrant culture of religious tolerance on the world stage.
Beyond Walls: Istiqlal as a Global Hub for Moderate Islam
Welcoming the high-level delegation with open arms was Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar. Standing inside Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, the Grand Imam emphasized that Istiqlal has evolved far beyond a traditional house of worship.
“Istiqlal serves as a vital space to strengthen moderate Islamic understanding. We regularly welcome academics, historians, religious leaders, and citizens from all walks of life to engage in open dialogue about peaceful and respectful religious coexistence,” stated Minister Nasaruddin.
To institutionalize this inclusive vision, the Ministry and Istiqlal have pioneered groundbreaking initiatives, including:
- Moderate Clergy Education: Developing progressive curricula designed to train future religious leaders to tackle contemporary challenges.
- Female Clergy Cadre Program: Cementing a firm commitment to gender equality and amplifying women’s leadership roles in religious spheres.
The Philosophy of the Tunnel of Friendship
For Minister Nasaruddin, the Tunnel of Friendship, which physically connects the sprawling Istiqlal Mosque to the historic Jakarta Cathedral is much more than concrete and steel. It is a physical manifestation of Indonesia’s national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).
“Walking from the mosque, you hear the bedug. From the cathedral, church bells ring. But right at the center of the tunnel, both sounds merge. That is the true meaning of Indonesia: differences do not cancel each other out; they live side by side in harmony,” he eloquently noted.
Breathing Life into the 2024 Istiqlal Declaration
The delegation’s leader, FABC President Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, was visibly moved by the experience. He noted that walking the tunnel brought to life the enduring spirit of the historic 2024 Istiqlal Declaration, signed previously by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar.
“For us, this visit is not just about seeing a structure, but experiencing firsthand how bridges of brotherhood are built. The historic moment shared between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam continues to inspire us to deepen cross-religious friendships,” Cardinal Ferrão expressed.
Emphasizing that religions share a collective moral duty to protect human dignity and foster global peace, the Cardinal praised Indonesia’s unique model of neighboring religions. He stressed that interfaith dialogue cannot remain confined to conference rooms, it must be walked, breathed, and built through tangible, everyday actions.
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