RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A total of 120 cardinals and bishops representing 22 Bishops' Conferences and member ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) visited the Silaturahmi Tunnel connecting the Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral on Sunday, July 26, 2026. This visit concluded the 2026 FABC Plenary Session and showcased concrete examples of interfaith harmony in Indonesia.

Nasaruddin Umar, Minister of Religious Affairs and Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, explained that Istiqlal serves not only as a place of worship but also as a space for dialogue, education, and strengthening religious moderation. He stated that his office regularly hosts academics, historians, religious figures, and members of the public from various backgrounds for open dialogue on peaceful religious life.

He added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs, together with the Istiqlal Mosque, is implementing a strategic program to develop a future generation of religious scholars through a curriculum with a religious moderation perspective. One of the programs being developed is the development of female clerics as a commitment to fostering equal relations in religious life.

He explained that the Silaturahmi Tunnel is not simply a means of connecting two houses of worship, but rather a symbol of coexistence in diversity. He noted that the sound of the drum from the mosque and the church bells from the cathedral can be heard simultaneously in the tunnel, which, for him, illustrates Indonesia's commitment to living in harmony amidst diversity.

FABC President, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's commitment to building interfaith dialogue, which is concretely realized through the Silaturahmi Tunnel. He noted that the visit was reminiscent of the 2024 Istiqlal Joint Declaration signed by Pope Francis and Nasaruddin Umar, a shared commitment to promoting harmony between religious communities.

Cardinal Ferrão stated that the visit was not simply about seeing a building, but rather a direct experience of witnessing how a bridge of brotherhood is being built. He cited the historic moment between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Istiqlal as an inspiration for the FABC delegation to continue strengthening interfaith friendship.

According to him, religions have a shared responsibility to safeguard human dignity and create a peaceful world. He viewed the journey through the Tunnel of Friendship as a symbol that bridges of dialogue cannot simply be discussed in international forums but must be realized through concrete, collective action.