Embracing Interfaith Harmony and Tolerance: Reflections on Pope Francis’ Visit to Indonesia
Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. KH Nasaruddin Umar, recently emphasized the importance of interfaith harmony and religious tolerance during a thought-provoking colloquium and book discussion held at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Frans Seda Foundation, delved into Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Indonesia on September 3-6, 2024. Titled Salve Peregrinans Spei!, the discussion gathered 33 prominent Indonesian Muslim figures to share their perspectives on the Pope’s visit.
As part of Atma Jaya’s XIII lustrum celebration, the event highlighted themes of faith, fraternity, and compassion, underscoring the significance of fostering interfaith relations in today’s complex global landscape.
Championing Interfaith Relations
In his keynote address, Prof. Nasaruddin stressed the urgent need to cultivate spaces that strengthen interfaith relationships rather than deepen divides. He highlighted the education curriculum designed to instill future generations with a profound understanding of religion, free from teachings of hatred.
Reflecting on his personal meeting with Pope Francis at Istiqlal Mosque, where he served as the former Grand Imam, Prof. Nasaruddin described the encounter as a pivotal moment in interfaith dialogue.
He also took the opportunity to ask attendees to pray for the Pope’s health, sharing a personal anecdote of his own hospitalization coinciding with the Pope’s illness.
The Pope’s visit to Indonesia last year marked a significant milestone in promoting religious tolerance and mutual understanding. His interactions with diverse faith communities underscored the importance of dialogue in upholding Indonesia’s diverse and pluralistic society.
Commending Interfaith Dialogue Initiatives
Prof. Biyanto, from the Ministry of Education for Primary and Secondary Education, commended the organizers for their efforts in fostering interfaith dialogue. He lauded the authors for their exceptional work and expressed hope that the ideas in the book would inspire many and strengthen the sense of brotherhood.
Atma Jaya Catholic University President, Prof. Dr. Yuda Turana, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the event’s role in promoting peace and solidarity and serving as a bridge to universal values such as love, peace, and solidarity.
Upholding Fraternity and Social Justice
Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC, President of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), highlighted the event as a crucial moment to reinforce fraternity and continue the Pope’s message of compassion and solidarity. He emphasized the need to ensure that this spirit thrives and contributes to unity and social justice in Indonesia.
Stefanus Ginting, Managing Director of the Frans Seda Foundation, expressed optimism that the book discussion would deepen public understanding of the Pope’s visit and its broader implications for Indonesian society. He called for embracing this moment as an opportunity to foster genuine fraternity, humanity, and social justice while nurturing the vision of a peaceful Indonesia.
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