Christmas boosts Islamic-Catholic friendship in Indonesia (videos)
The two communities show that religious tolerance is still alive in the archipelago. Some Islamists call on Muslims not to wish Merry Christmas. Moderate politicians and groups visit churches and parishes across the country. Central Java governor meets Trappist nuns.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Like every year, Christmas celebrations by the Catholic community of the most populous Islamic country in the world are an opportunity in many parishes for interfaith encounter and dialogue.
Despite renewed claims by some radical groups that wishing Christians Merry Christmas is haram (forbidden), many moderate Muslims have expressed and extended messages of friendship to their Christian compatriots.
On Christmas Day, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo paid a courtesy visit to the local archbishop, Mgr Robertus Rubiyatmoko, at the latter’s residence in Semarang (video 1).
Local military and police leaders and some Islamic groups accompanied him. The latter entertained those present with a musical performance.
In the morning of Christmas Eve, Governor Ganjar visited the Bunda Pemersatu Monastery, of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), popularly known as the Trappists, located in Gedere, on the slopes of Mount Merbabu (video 2).
A few hours before, local residents helped the nuns prepare the celebrations. Sporting their peci (hats), Islamic boarding school students (santri) showed respect to the older nuns by kissing their hands, whilst Muslim women wearing a hijab helped out inside the building.
On Christmas day, a group of activists for religious dialogue waited for the end of the Mass in St Theresia parish, Menteng (Central Jakarta), to greet the faithful (picture 2).
For his part, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan visited the Assumption Cathedral and was warmly welcomed by the Archbishop, Card Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo (picture 3). After going inside the church, the Governor gave a short speech extending his greetings to the hundreds of worshippers present.
A few hours before Christmas Eve, four interfaith groups (Cak Nurian, GusDurian, Cahaya Guru and Bale Nyahi) visited Holy Family parish in Pasar Minggu (South Jakarta).
Three priests, Frs Antonius Pramono Wahyu Nugroho, Andreas Subekti, Joseph Biondi Matovano, two seminarians, and other local Catholic leaders (pictures 1 and 4) welcomed them.
In East Java province, Fr Damianus Fadjar Tedjo Soekarno, a clergyman in the Diocese of Malang, is well known for promoting a spirit of social tolerance and dialogue between groups of different ethno-religious background.
A few days before Christmas, he invited some Muslim leaders and members of interfaith groups to a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of Rahayu Hospice, a facility managed by the Abdi Kristus (Servants of Christ) nuns in Jajag, Banyuwangi regency.
“Catholics should be encouraged to implement the spirit of social tolerance in actions rather than words,” Fr Damianus told AsiaNews. “Experiencing this is key to maintaining good relations with others in our daily lives.”
Fr Triburtius Catur Wibowo also helped to forge deep bonds of friendship with local Muslims in the Diocese of Malang, Banyuwangi regency.
The clergyman set up a prayer room in the House of Education on Ecology, which he heads in the village of Kelir.
The building, which belongs to the Diocese, represents an important educational facility for the local Senior High School, Hikmah Mandala, and I frequently visited by groups of different faiths, especially Muslims.
Although Christians in some parts of the country have not been able to peacefully celebrate Christmas, Muslims and Catholics have generally shown that religious tolerance is still alive in the archipelago.
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest moderate Islamic organisation, posted a message on social media wishing Merry Christmas, thus ending the controversy over the opportunity for Muslims to extend Christmas greetings.
In a video message, NU President Kiai Hajj expressed good wishes to all Indonesian Christians.
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29/12/2006
08/02/2020 09:03
27/12/2005
