This “tunnel of friendship” that Francis and the Grand Imam of Jakarta could use

The symbol is powerful. Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Jakarta could travel together on September 5, before it is opened to the public, through the Silaturahmi tunnel, the “tunnel of friendship,” which connects the immense Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is a brief pilgrimage of about thirty meters between two religious universes that The Cross had the privilege of performing while this tunnel is not yet open to the public.

In the silence of this passage, two spiritualities come together and freely dialogue. The wood, marble and copper bas-reliefs of the Indonesian sculptors Sunaryo (from Bandung, West Java) and Aditya Novali (from Solo, Central Java) representing a fraternal handshake between two men of different faiths give this site a rare mystical dimension. Conducive to meditation and prayer. But also to reflection.

An idea born in 2021

“Some build walls to divide, but in Jakarta Indonesian Catholics and Muslims are digging a tunnel of friendship to come closer and join together as a sign of respect and dialogue,” explains Father Thomas Ulun, vice-secretary of the Diocese of Jakarta at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. In his eyes, this joint approach, embodied by the Grand Imam of the mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, and Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, “illustrates the spirit of tolerance that prevails between the different religious communities of Indonesia.”

During the major renovation work of the mosque in 2021, President Joko Widodo meets the imam and the cardinal. “The idea of ​​connecting the two places of worship came from the president himself”assures Susyana Suwadie, a Chinese-born Catholic in charge of communications for the diocese. An external footbridge is being considered, but the president prefers an underground passage. The presidential order is given, a joint Catholic-Muslim committee is created, and the Ministry of Public Works launches the project.

A year later, the tunnel was dug. “But it was necessary to give a common spiritual dimension to this passage, Susyana continues, A call for tenders was launched to artists so that a work symbolizing tolerance, respect and friendship could adorn this sacred site. Many donors, both Muslim and Catholic, helped finance the artists’ imposing copper work that covers the walls of the tunnel. “There has been a lot of generosity from both communities,” Susyana assures.

“A strong symbolic act”

For Cardinal Suharyo, 74, “This passage is a very strong symbolic act in order to further strengthen our already fruitful dialogue with the muslim communitymajority in Indonesia” – 88% of the 280 million inhabitants. Still closed to the public, this tunnel could be officially inaugurated the day after Pope Francis’ visit to Jakarta from September 3 to 6.

While the cardinal hesitated to say whether the pope would borrow it during his visit to the mosque on September 5, Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, 65, who received The Cross in his office in the mosque, assures that he will cross it alongside the pope: “This is a sign of Indonesia’s tolerance towards other religions, it is on the agenda and there are several options,” he assures, confident. “There are timing and safety issues,” they moderate at the cathedral. “But the fact remains that this tunnel is historic, Cardinal Suharyo emphasizes, a strong alliance with our Muslim brothers, a guarantee of unwavering harmony.”