Indonesian Catholics prepare for the 7th Asian Youth Day

The Archdiocese of Jakarta has been divided into eight areas, each tasked with hosting foreign delegations for the own Days in Diocese. The members of the Muslim Youth Friends are happy to participate as volunteers at this international event.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Indonesian Catholics are eagerly waiting for foreign and Indonesian delegations coming to the 7th Asian Youth Day (AYD 2017), set for 30 July-6 August.

A few days are left before people arrive in Jakarta and other cities before D-Day in Yogyakarta, Central Java.

From China, delegations have already arrived and are now enjoying some days of rest in east Jakarta before staying with local Indonesian Catholic families in the Archdiocese of Jakarta for their Days in Diocese (DID).

The archdiocese has been divided into eight areas charged with welcoming foreign delegations who will have their days in this great diocese. West Region 2 will take foreign delegations to the local orphanage.

The Bekasi Region will provide fun time with Maria Harfati, Miss Indonesia 2015, who will show how Indonesians play their typical musical instruments. The Northern Region will celebrate a special Mass for the young people.

The West Region 1 will have a special meeting to welcome participants. The East Region will lead the foreign delegations to the local orphanage. Tangerang Region will provide an opportunity for local musical instruments. The Central Region will provide time to experience the pastoral mission.

The high point will be on 1st August, when the Governor of Jakarta welcomed the foreign delegations, followed by a short visit to the big Istiklal Mosque and then the final festive Mass in the cathedral with Archbishop of Jakarta Mgr Ignatius Suharyo.

Catholics in the Central Java Province are already very enthusiastic about the event. Speaking to AsiaNews, Simon Widodo said that local Catholics and even non-Catholics in Kebonarum parish (Klaten district) have prepared everything to welcome foreign delegations in their region.

Semarang Archdiocese will provide three different locations for DID at Kebonarum (Klaten), Ambarawa (Semarang), and Sumber (Magelang). "The main ceremony will take place in these three different places," said Fr Donny Widiarsa PR, a local diocesan priest and an official with AYD 2017.

Laurensius Suryono, from the Diocese of Malang in East Java, told AsiaNews that local young people met to facilitate the welcoming ceremonies of delegations from Vietnam, Mongolia and Singapore.

From Yogyakarta to Central Java, the main venue for the AYD programme, some young local Muslims (pictured) have also been happy to volunteer at this international event.

They belong to a group called Muslim Youth Friends recruited from the country’s largest moderate Muslim organisation: Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.

"Many are students from Islamic universities in Yogyakarta, such as UII, UIN, UMY whilst others are from the local pesantren (Islamic boarding schools)," said Rifqi Fairuz, one of its members.

They were chosen at the end of the sacred month of Ramadan on the basis of certain criteria such as moderation and good knowledge of English or other languages. "Alissa Wahid, daughter of former President Abdurrahman Wahid, approved the selection," Fairuz added.

For Muslims to participate in this international Catholic event is important on the basis of two fundamental principles: ukhuwah Islamiyyah (Islamic Brotherhood), and ukhuwah Basyariyyah, the duty to have a friendly relationship with every human being irrespective of religion, ethnicity, culture and language.

The participation of members of Muslim Youth Friends as volunteers in the 7th AYD is a great step to bringing together people from different religious faiths.

• indonesia
• jakarat
• asian youth day
• muslim volunteers