Obama's journey to Indonesia to better relations between Islam and the West
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The presence of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle in the great Istiqlal mosque, just before their visit to the Catholic Cathedral, both in central Jakarta, was a strong signal from Washington of its respect for Islam. And this in spite of strong protests from some groups of Muslim fundamentalists, Obama and his wife Michelle, wearing a jilbab veil were welcomed by the imam of the main mosque, Ali Mustafa Yakub. The history of the Great Mosque was explained to the presidential couple, built under the direct supervision of the first Indonesian president Sukarno, who was a civil engineer. The architect was Friedrich Silaban. The Istiqlal mosque can accommodate 120 thousand faithful.
Along with his wife, the American president also gave his personal impression of the biggest mosque in South East Asia: “I am honored” he said “to have had an opportunity to visit this magnificent mosque, which stands as a symbol of the role of Islam in guiding the lines of millions of Indonesians. I hope my visits promotes greater understanding between peoples of different countries and different faith for we are all children of God”.
Imam Yakub explained the "bedug" philosophy of the giant drum of the mosque to his guests. "Bedug is an original Indonesian object and Indonesian Muslims are happy to bring their bedug into the mosque. Its meaning is simple: Islam does not destroy any subject or object of local cultures, nor faith. This is the fundamental basis of Islam as a peaceful religion. "
Later, the U.S. president expressed the need for pluralism when he addressed 6 thousand people at the University of Indonesia (UI) in Depok. He shared some personal memories of when, as a boy, in 1967 he visited the Istiqlal mosque, still under construction. He then spoke about the Indonesian philosophical motto Bhinneka Tungkkal Ika, which translates as "Unity and Diversity", which he considers the foundation of the pluralistic spirit among the Indonesians”.
It is in the spirit of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" which the Indonesian archipelago, from Aceh to Merauke in Papua province, can be united as a nation. Based on this spirit, the U.S. president said, Indonesia has succeeded in its efforts to be the best model among the nations of Asia and the Pacific, in promoting unity among different peoples with different backgrounds language and culture. "Pluralism should be seen as a value, to unite people, not the other way round." He also spoke of the need to practice respect for other faiths as his stepfather, an Indonesian citizen, has always taught. "I firmly believe that every religion should be treated with the utmost respect," he said to the University of Indonesia. Obama also said that he appreciated the warm welcome during his visit to the mosque, and the words of the imam: "All human beings are followers of God."
Father Benny Susetyo, from the Indonesian Bishops' Conference Commission inter-religious dialogue (KWI) expressed his appreciation for Obama's speech, saying that the president has once again voiced the hope of better relations between the West and the Muslim community. "This will reduce sectarian violence, especially religious radicalism," he told AsiaNews to. According to this priest from the Diocese of Malang, during his visit to the mosque, Obama expressed his greatest concern with respect to the potential role that Indonesia can play in promoting world peace. "As the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia has a vital role in combating religious radicalism. Washington will greatly benefit from Indonesia's campaign to present a good model of moderate Islam to the international community. " "Such conduct by moderate Islam is a central theme for the Obama administration. That's why there will be an intensification of student exchange programs".
Fr. Aloysius Budi Purnomo, a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Semarang, is active in interfaith dialogue. Referring to Obama's visit to his "second home" he told AsiaNews: "I strongly urge him as the president of a super power country to extend his helping hand to help our fellow Indonesian who are now being refugees as victims of tow massive natural disasters namely Mount Merapi’s eruption and Mentawai’s quake-cum-tsunami”.
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