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December 12, 2024 | 07:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the ‘Tunnel of Friendship’ connecting Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this afternoon, I am inaugurating the Istiqlal Mosque - Cathedral Church Tunnel of Friendship in the city of Central Jakarta,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo was delighted with the inauguration of the tunnel, which he claimed was a symbol of interfaith harmony.
For Prabowo, Indonesia is a nation with unique characteristics, housing numerous ethnicities, religious identities, ethnic groups, races, local languages, and differing customs. The president said these differences are the glue of the nation.
"This is because we have the same goal: to achieve a future where happiness is for all,” said Prabowo.
The Gerindra Party chair considers these differences as a source of strength instead of the root of divisions. "We are learning about tolerance, unity, and harmony from national figures,” said Prabowo.
According to Prabowo, Indonesia did not gain independence as a gift but rather seized by all ethnic and religious groups. "Everyone fought; there was no majority or minority group distinction in devotion and sacrifice. All groups and ethnicities paid shares for the Republic of Indonesia, ones paid for with blood and sweat,” he said.
The Tunnel of Friendship went into construction in December 2020 and was completed in September 2021, spending Rp38.9 billion in budget. The tunnel covers 218 square meters, with a shelter area of 128 square meters, a length of 34 meters, and a depth of 6 meters.
The leader of the World Catholic Church and head of state of the Vatican, Pope Francis, had previously visited the tunnel connecting Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church during his visit to Jakarta on Thursday, September 5, 2025.
Pope Francis said the Tunnel of Friendship connecting Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral is a true symbol of Indonesian fraternity.
Francis believes the tunnel enables meetings, dialogue, and sharing the mysticism of living together. "It can become a true experience of fraternity in a procession of solidarity, a sacred pilgrimage," said Francis during his speech at Istiqlal Mosque at the time.
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