Located in the heart of the capital, Jakarta, in the heart of Independence Square, this tunnel aims to symbolise “the vision of deep-rooted coexistence” in Indonesia.
The Pope observed on Thursday in Jakarta, together with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, the tunnel that connects the mosque with the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and considered by Francis “a place of dialogue.”
Pope Francis has already arrived in Indonesia, the country with the largest number of Muslims in the world
“If we think of a tunnel, we easily imagine a dark path that can be frightening, especially if we are alone. Here, however, it is different, because everything is illuminated. But the light that illuminates it is you, with your friendship, with the harmony that you cultivate, with your mutual support and with your journey together that leads you, at the end of the road, to full light,” said Francis in front of the gateway to the so-called “tunnel of friendship.”
The tunnel, which will open in autumn and it was a simple underground passage, it was the idea of the outgoing president of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. In the heart of the Indonesian capital, right on Independence Square, this The tunnel is intended to symbolize “the vision of deep-rooted coexistence” in Indonesia.
“We believers, who belong to different religious traditions, have a role to play: to help everyone. Walk through the tunnel with your eyes looking at the light.. Thus, at the end of the road, in those who walk beside us, we can recognize a brother, a sister, with whom we can share life and support one another,” the Pope added during the ceremony, on the last day of his visit to the country, before heading to Papua New Guinea.
He also pointed out that “the many signs of threat, of dark times, are contrasted with the sign of fraternity which, by welcoming others and respecting their identity, pushes them towards a common path, made among friends, which leads to the light.”
“I would like our communities to be more and more open to interreligious dialogue and were a symbol of peaceful coexistence “That is what characterizes Indonesia,” he added.
Pope Francis wants to strengthen interreligious dialogue to combat extremism
Francis also blessed “all those who will pass through this tunnel in a spirit of friendship, harmony and fraternity.”
At the same meeting, in front of the Istiqlal mosque, the Pope and the Grand Imam signed a joint document calling for Action against the “religious exploitation of conflicts” and against the global warming.
In the “Istiqlal Declaration”, the Two religious leaders expressed concern about “dehumanization” linked to the “widespread conflict and violence” and called for “decisive measures to preserve the integrity of the environment and natural resources.”
Source: Observadora
