By: Andika Pratama
Pope Francis’s arrival in Indonesia in early September 2024 marks a historic moment that reflects the international community’s trust in religious harmony in Indonesia. As a country with a majority Muslim population, Indonesia has a strong reputation for maintaining harmony among religious communities. The presence of Pope Francis is not only as a state guest but also as an acknowledgment of Indonesia’s success in maintaining harmonious relationships among various religious communities.
Indonesia is known as a country rich in religious diversity. Although the majority of its population is Muslim, Indonesia is not a religious state; rather, it is a democratic nation that values pluralism. The Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, emphasized that religious harmony in Indonesia has long been a concern for the world, particularly the Vatican. Suharyo noted that the Islam practiced in Indonesia is different from that in the Middle East, where the influence of the Middle East on Indonesian Islam is relatively small. This shows that Islam in Indonesia has developed in a unique way and harmoniously with the existing diversity.
During his visit to Indonesia, Pope Francis wants to see firsthand how people of different religions coexist in peace and harmony. This aligns with the Vatican’s view that recognizes the importance of interfaith dialogue and respect for differing beliefs. The plan for Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia serves as evidence that Indonesia is regarded as a model of religious harmony that should be emulated by other countries.
The diplomatic relationship between Indonesia and the Vatican has been established for a long time, even since the era of Indonesia’s struggle for independence. The Vatican was one of the first countries to recognize Indonesia’s independence in 1947. This emphasizes that the relationship between the two countries has long been built on a foundation of mutual respect and close cooperation.
In addition, the Catholic Church in Indonesia has been actively sending missionaries to various parts of the world, which further strengthens the relationship between Indonesia and the Vatican. Reports from the Vatican Embassy in Indonesia to the Pope indicate that the Catholic Church in Indonesia is thriving, and this has also contributed to the Pope’s decision to visit Indonesia. The Pope wants to see firsthand how the Catholic community in Indonesia contributes to building a harmonious religious life in a predominantly Muslim society.
One important moment leading up to the arrival of Pope Francis was the meeting between the leaders of interfaith youth organizations in Indonesia and the Indonesian Ambassador to the Vatican. This meeting was led by the Chairman of the Ansor Youth Movement, Addin Jauharudin, along with the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership, Catholic Youth, GAMKI, and Peradah Indonesia, demonstrating their commitment to promoting peace and interfaith harmony. The Chairman of GP Ansor, Addin Jauharudin, stated that Pope Francis holds Indonesia and Pancasila in high regard and is even willing to sign the Jakarta-Vatican Declaration initiated by young people from various religions in Indonesia.
In the meeting, the leaders of this interfaith youth organization expressed their joy over the planned visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia. They also emphasized the importance of national brotherhood and human brotherhood, which serve as a strong foundation for building peace in Indonesia. This meeting is not merely ceremonial, but also serves as concrete evidence that Indonesian youth from various religious backgrounds are capable of collaborating to achieve world peace.
One of the important outcomes of Pope Francis’ visit to the Vatican by the interfaith youth organization will be the signing of the ‘Jakarta-Vatican Declaration’. This declaration will be signed by the leaders of the interfaith youth organizations from Indonesia at the Paul VI Audience Hall, Vatican City, Rome. The theme of this declaration is “Justice and Peace for the World,” which emphasizes the importance of Pancasila values as a positive energy for global civilization. This declaration also underscores the importance of supporting and disseminating the views and values outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi in 2019. With the signing of this declaration, the leaders of interfaith youth in Indonesia demonstrate their commitment to becoming ambassadors of peace and justice in the world.
The arrival of Pope Francis in Indonesia is a symbol of the world’s trust in Indonesia’s ability to maintain religious harmony. Indonesia has proven that religious diversity is not an obstacle, but rather a strength in building a harmonious and peaceful society. Through dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation, Indonesia has created a model that can be emulated by other countries.
Pope Francis’s meeting with various religious leaders in Indonesia, including the interfaith gathering at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, is a clear testament that Indonesia is recognized as one of the countries that successfully promotes interfaith dialogue. The presence of Pope Francis also sends a strong message to the world that peace and harmony can only be realized through respect for differences and sincere cooperation among religious communities.
Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia is not just a state visit, but also an acknowledgment of Indonesia’s achievements in maintaining religious harmony. This is a proud moment for all the people of Indonesia and serves as a reminder that diversity is a wealth that must be preserved and celebrated.
The author is a contributor to the Indonesia Peace Institute.
