German President Visits Istiqlal and Jakarta Cathedral, Symbol of Harmony

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A powerful symbol of Indonesia’s interfaith harmony took center stage during the state visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender to Jakarta on Monday, June 15, 2026.

After completing official engagements at the Presidential Palace, the two dignitaries toured Masjid Istiqlal and the Jakarta Cathedral-- landmarks that stand side by side as enduring representations of religious coexistence.

Welcomed by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, who also serves as Grand Imam of Istiqlal, and Jakarta Archbishop Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, the German President explored Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, viewing its facilities and even striking the traditional bedug drum, a cultural symbol of Indonesian Islam.

From Istiqlal, the delegation walked through the “Tunnel of Friendship” (Terowongan Silaturahmi), which directly connects the mosque to the cathedral. At the cathedral, they received explanations about its history, functions, and the symbolic meaning of its proximity to Istiqlal.

Minister Nasaruddin Umar noted the deep impression left on the visitors: “They were moved to see two houses of worship standing side by side, connected by a tunnel. It is a rare and ideal picture of harmony.”

He added that the blend of sounds--the bedug from Istiqlal and the church bells from the cathedral--created a memorable experience for the German guests.

“In the middle of the tunnel, you can hear the blend of sounds of the church bells and bedug. Together with the friendship-themed ornaments, it creates a very beautiful atmosphere. That impressed them greatly,” he said.

Cardinal Suharyo emphasized the historical significance of the site, recalling that Indonesia’s founding president, Soekarno, deliberately chose the location of Istiqlal to stand opposite the cathedral.

He recounted that during the process of determining the site for the National Mosque, Vice President Mohammad Hatta had proposed an alternative location.

However, Soekarno chose the area that is now home to Istiqlal for two main reasons: to remove symbols of colonialism and to establish a landmark of living side by side in diversity.

For Indonesia, the Istiqlal-Cathedral complex remains a living testament to coexistence, often showcased to visiting heads of state. “They were very satisfied to witness something rarely found elsewhere in the world,” Minister Umar remarked.

The visit underscored Indonesia’s commitment to nurturing interfaith harmony at a time when global relations among religions face growing challenges.

By highlighting the coexistence of mosque and cathedral, Indonesia reaffirmed that diversity can serve as a foundation for unity and national strength. ***