Indonesia Showcases “Tunnel of Friendship” as Unique Symbol of Interfaith Harmony

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, underscored the global significance of the Terowongan Silaturahim (Tunnel of Friendship) that directly connects Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral, calling it a rare symbol of tolerance that deserves international recognition.

Speaking after welcoming German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan, Minister Nasaruddin said that Minister Radovan and her delegation, including members of the German parliament, were deeply impressed by the tunnel.

“They were amazed because this is the first time they saw two houses of worship--a mosque and a cathedral--linked by a tolerance tunnel,” Minister Nazarudin, who is also the grand imam of Istiqlal Mosque. said, as quoted by Antara.

The minister emphasized that the tunnel is the only one of its kind in the world, making it an important icon of Jakarta’s religious life. Inside, visitors encounter ornaments symbolizing tolerance, along with sounds representing both faiths: church bells when entering from the cathedral side, and the bedug drum when approaching from the mosque.

Jakarta Archbishop Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo echoed the sentiment, noting that the proximity of the two places of worship already carried strong symbolism of tolerance and nationalism, which is now further enriched by the tunnel.

“From the beginning, the closeness of these two houses of worship has had symbolic meaning. The symbolism of tolerance and nationalism is now complete with the presence of the Tunnel of Friendship,” he remarked.

This perspective highlights how Indonesia is using the Tunnel of Friendship not only as a local landmark but also as a global message of interfaith coexistence, positioning Jakarta as a city where religious diversity is celebrated through tangible symbols of unity. ***