UCA News
Contribute

Interfaith deal helps pandemic-hit people in Indonesia

Catholic and Muslim leaders will collaborate to provide food and medicines for the needy irrespective of religion
Interfaith deal helps pandemic-hit people in Indonesia

Nassarudin Umar, chairman of Istiqlal Mosque, and priests from Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral Church present a bag of rice to a Jakarta resident after their meeting at the mosque on Aug. 13. (Photo supplied)

Published: August 16, 2021 06:33 AM GMT
Updated: August 16, 2021 07:18 AM GMT

Catholic and Muslim leaders in Indonesia have agreed to work together to provide people with food and medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral Church and Istiqlal Mosque in capital Jakarta have agreed that the worship places should act as epicenters to provide humanitarian aid to people regardless of their background.

The agreement was made in a meeting at Istiqlal Mosque on Aug. 13 attended by leaders from both religions and national youth organizations such as the Islamic Students’ Association, Catholic Union of University Students Association of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian Islamic Youth Economic Forum.

Nasaruddin Umar, a Muslim cleric and chairman of Istiqlal Mosque, said the collaboration is “an inner wealth for us to share.”

“We can’t be alone in handling our followers and nation. It has to be synergy,” he added.

The collaboration will show unity and interfaith harmony while providing concrete actions for Covid-affected people, he said.

It is a good example from Istiqlal Mosque and the cathedral, so other groups may follow up and act on it

It is a good example from Istiqlal Mosque and the cathedral, so other groups may follow up and act on it

Father Antonius Suyadi, chairman of Jakarta Archdiocese's ecumenical and interreligious affairs commission, said he supported the initiative.

“It is a good example from Istiqlal Mosque and the cathedral, so other groups may follow up and act on it,” he said.

The initiative was also supported by the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference as a way of building harmony and brotherhood.

“The action shows universality of interfaith brotherhood,” Father Agustinus Heri Wibowo, secretary of the bishops' commission for ecumenical and interreligious affairs, told UCA News.

He also quoted a statement by Pope Francis that a worship place is “a hospital on the battlefield.”

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia