RRi.CO.ID, Jakarta - Renewing interfaith cooperation has become a focus of relations between Indonesia and Australia.

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite, and the Head of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, visited the Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral to strengthen interfaith dialogue and learn about tolerance.

During the visit, Thistlethwaite said Australia seeks to deepen its understanding of Indonesia’s growing interfaith dialogue, including learning directly from the Istiqlal Mosque’s imams and administrators about Islamic teachings that emphasize respect and brotherhood.

“Our visit to this mosque aims to build friendship by bringing one of Australia’s leading imams here to learn from the imam and mosque administrators about Islamic teachings, respect, and friendship. This is a lesson for all of us,” Thistlethwaite said at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that the Australian government wants to strengthen relations with Indonesia, including through people-to-people cooperation in interfaith dialogue.

Indonesia’s experience as the country with the largest Muslim population in Asia serves as an important reference for Australia in building harmonious relations within a diverse society.

Thistlethwaite also praised the Indonesian government and community for promoting an Islam that respects diversity and fosters cross-cultural and interfaith relationships. He highlighted the Silaturahmi Tunnel, which connects the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church, as a tangible symbol of this spirit.

“I congratulate the Indonesian government and the Indonesian people for their respectful approach to teaching Islam and promoting cross-cultural and interfaith friendship, perfectly reflected in the Silaturahmi Tunnel,” he said.

According to Assistant Minister Thistlethwaite, Australia is also strengthening efforts to foster mutual respect among religious communities by increasing dialogue and engagement with diverse groups.

He noted that the Australian government has appointed an ambassador and a special envoy for Islamic affairs, tasked with developing initiatives that advance religious tolerance and mutual respect in Australia.

“We also want to ensure that our political leaders engage with Indonesian political leaders to promote interfaith dialogue. That’s why I’ve brought a prominent Australian imam here today as a symbol of our commitment to interfaith dialogue,” Thistlethwaite said. ***