We counter conflicts and exploitation with brotherhood. This is the message that the Pope and the Grand Imam of Jakarta wanted to give to the world by signing the Joint Declaration “Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024” entitled “Promoting religious harmony for the good of humanity”.
Francis and Nasaruddin Umar found themselves in front of the Friendship Tunnel that connects the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption to the Istiqlal Mosque, and Bergoglio immediately underlined the importance of this “place of dialogue and encounter” that runs under the square on which the buildings overlook. “If we think of a tunnel, we easily imagine a dark path that, especially if we are alone, can scare us. Here, however, it is different, because everything is illuminated,” said the Pontiff. “I would like to tell you, however,” he added, “that you are the light that illuminates it, with your friendship, the harmony you cultivate, the support you give to one another, and with your journey together that leads you, at the end of the road, toward the full light. We believers, who belong to different religious traditions, have a role to play: to help everyone cross the tunnel with their gaze turned toward the light.” And so, “at the end of the journey, we can recognize, in those who have walked alongside us, a brother, a sister, with whom to share life and support each other”. And thanking “all those who work convinced that we can live in harmony and peace, aware of the need for a more fraternal world”, he invited us to counter “the many signs of threat, the dark times” with “the sign of brotherhood that, welcoming the other and respecting his identity, urges him to a common path, made in friendship, and that leads towards the light”. Hoping that “our communities may be increasingly open to interreligious dialogue and be a symbol of the peaceful coexistence that characterizes Indonesia”.
Then the signing of the Declaration which, in the preamble, underlines: «As can be seen from the events of recent decades, our world is clearly facing two grave crises: dehumanization and climate change. Human abuse of creation, which is our common home, has contributed to climate change, resulting in destructive consequences such as natural disasters, global warming and unpredictable weather conditions. The current environmental crisis has become an obstacle to the harmonious coexistence of peoples». And then «in response to this dual crisis, guided by our respective religious teachings and recognizing the contribution of the Indonesian philosophical principle of ‘Pancasila’, we, together with other religious leaders present, call for the following: The values shared by our religious traditions should be effectively promoted to defeat the culture of violence and indifference that plagues our world». In fact «religious values should be oriented towards promoting a culture of respect, dignity, compassion, reconciliation and fraternal solidarity to overcome both dehumanization and environmental destruction». Faced with the current scenarios, believers, but especially religious leaders “inspired by their respective histories and spiritual traditions, should work together to address the above-mentioned crises, identifying their causes and taking appropriate action”. And remember that “since there is one global human family, interreligious dialogue should be recognized as an effective tool for resolving local, regional and international conflicts, especially those caused by the misuse of religion”. And this is because “our religious beliefs and rituals have a particular capacity to speak to the human heart and thus promote a deeper respect for human dignity”. The Declaration also calls, recognizing “the vital need for a healthy, peaceful and harmonious atmosphere to authentically serve God and care for creation” that “all people of good will” act “decisively to preserve the integrity of the ecosystem and its resources inherited from previous generations, which we hope to pass on to our children and grandchildren”. Other Indonesian religious leaders were also present at the signing and the interreligious meeting, including Gus Yahya Staquf of the Muslim organization Nadhatul Ulama; Abdul Mu’ti of the Muslim organization Muhammadiya; the Reverend Jack Manuputty for the Christian Churches; Wisnu Bawa Tenaya for Hinduism; Philip Wijaya for the Permabudhi Buddhists; Bante Dhammasubbo for Walubi Buddhists; Budi Tanuwibowo for the Confucians; Engkus Kuswara for other believers.