Haru, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Kisses Pope Francis' Head, Responding to Kissing Nasaruddin Umar's Hand

Haru, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Kisses Pope Francis' Head, Responding to Kissing Nasaruddin Umar's Hand

HOLIDAY NEWS -- Leader of the World Catholic Church and Head of State of the Vatican, Pope Francis made a historic visit to the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, Thursday (5/9/2024). 

There, Pope Francis signed the Istiq Declaration

then with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Ummar. 

The declaration was agreed upon during the visit of Pope Francis to the Istiqlal Mosque-Cathedral Church Tunnel on Thursday. 

There was a moment full of emotion when the meeting of Pope Francis with interfaith leaders at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, ended. 

This moment occurred when the Pope and the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Nasaruddin Mosque took a photo together. 

A smile appeared on both of their faces. 

There was a moment full of emotion when Pope Francis' meeting with interfaith leaders at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, ended. This moment occurred when the Pope and the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Nasaruddin Mosque took a photo together. A smile appeared on both of their faces. Nasaruddin then embraced Pope Francis and kissed his head twice. The Pope then responded by kissing Nasaruddin's hand which he was holding twice. 

Nasaruddin then embraced Pope Francis, and kissed his head twice. 

The Pope then responded by kissing Nasaruddin's hand which he was holding twice. 

Pope Francis then said goodbye to leaving the Istiqlal Mosque, greeted by the waving hands of the wife of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid, Sinta Nuriah and family, as well as figures. 

Pope Francis' visit to the Istiqlal Mosque was carried out to see the Silaturahim Tunnel, which connects the Istiqlal Mosque with the Cathedral Church. 

This tunnel is a strong symbol of inter-religious harmony in Indonesia. 

The Pope was greeted with Marawis rhythms and given an explanation by Nasaruddin Umar regarding the tunnel being built in 2022. 

“The Silaturahim Tunnel connects two houses of worship. "In it there are many artistic and beautiful symbols that symbolize religious tolerance," said Nasaruddin Umar while accompanying the Pope, quoted from the medcom page. 

Pope Francis said he was impressed by the existence of the tunnel. 

He emphasized the important role of religious communities in building tolerance. 

"We believers who come from different religious traditions, have a duty to help everyone pass through this tunnel with our eyes turned towards the light," said the Pope. 

"At the end of the journey we will be able to recognize in those who walk beside us, a brother or sister with whom we can support each other in life," he said. 

Pope Francis ended his speech with the hope that communities in Indonesia will be more open to inter-religious dialogue and become symbols of peace. 

"I hope that our communities can become increasingly open to dialogue between religious communities and hopefully become a symbol of the peaceful coexistence that characterizes Indonesia," said the Pope. 

During the meeting, the General Chair of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) Jusuf Kalla (JK), wife of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurahman Wahid or Gus Dur, Sinta Nuriyah Wahid, PBNU Chair Ahmad Fahrur Rozi and Ulil Abshar Abdalla were present at Istiqlal. 

Not only that, Deputy General Chairman Marsudi Suhud, MUI General Secretary PP Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu'ti, and Quraish Shihab and Yenny Wahid were seen. 

It was also seen that Indonesian officials were also present, such as Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Minister of Investment Rosan Roeslani, Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Djiwandono and Deputy Minister of Religion Saiful Rahmat Dasuki. 

Pope Francis said that the Silaturahmi Tunnel which connects the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral Church is a symbol of the real brotherhood of the Indonesian people. 

He said that the tunnel allows for encounters, dialogue and sharing of spiritual experiences to live together. 

"It can be a real experience of brotherhood in a procession of solidarity, a holy pilgrimage," said Francis when giving a speech during his visit to the Istiqlal Mosque. 

Pope Francis also encouraged the Indonesian people to always continue on this path so that the Indonesian people can develop their spirituality and practice their religion. 

The meeting closed with a group photo session after Pope Francis finished reading his speech to the guests present. 

Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of the Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar and the invited guests were invited to hold a photo session together outside the event area or in the courtyard of the Istiqlal Mosque. 

The atmosphere of the group photo session was filled with happy smiles from the invited guests who were waiting for Pope Francis and Nasaruddin to join them. 

Don't forget the other guests who took turns inviting Pope Francis for a group photo while giving souvenirs to the highest leader of the world's Catholics, such as puppets. 

A unique thing that happened in the group photo session was when Nasaruddin and Pope Francis stopped in the middle to take a group photo. 

Nasaruddin was seen putting his arm around Pope Francis who was sitting in a wheelchair and smiling at him. 

At that moment, the Grand Imam of the Mosque immediately leaned his head and kissed the top of Pope Francis' head, who was smiling at the camera. 

The atmosphere looked even more touching when Pope Francis greeted Nasaruddin while kissing the high priest's hand. 

Suddenly, this moment became an important moment for diversity and peace to be the main thing in the visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia. 

This moment was also a sign for Indonesia which always embraces differences and creates brotherhood which welcomed the visit of Pope Francis in Indonesia. 

For your information, apart from going to the Istiqlal Mosque, today the Pope will visit the Office of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) and hold a grand mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK). 

Pope Francis will lead around 80 thousand Catholics during the mass. He will even greet tens of thousands of Catholics directly by touring the two GBK stadiums using a Maung MV3 car made by Pindad. (*)