While tunnels are often seen as dark places, Francis observed "Here it is different, for everything is illuminated".

The pope told the interreligious leaders "You are the light that illuminates it. By welcoming others and respecting their identity, fraternity urges them on a common path travelled in friendship and leading towards the light".

Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, welcoming the Pope, noted that the Tunnel of Fraternity is "proof of the role of the Istiqlal Mosque as a melting pot, especially for the citizens of the pluralistic nation of Indonesia who adhere to the maxim "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" meaning "Unity in diversity".

Umar said Istiqlal, capable of accommodating up to 250,000 worshippers, is the largest mosque in Asia and the third largest in the world after Mecca and Medina. Friedrich Silaban, a Christian architect, designed the mosque.

The Grand Imam noted the mosque regularly hosts interreligious events and educational programmes. He described the mosque as "a great home for humanity" open to all, regardless of their faith.

Umar stressed that the mosque promotes tolerance, evidenced by its connection to the Catholic cathedral through the Tunnel of Fraternity.

Increased interfaith dialogue

Speaking at the mosque, Pope Francis expressed gratitude for those working to foster interreligious unity. He emphasised the importance of friendship and respect between religious communities. He suggested it was a key to addressing global challenges such as extremism and violence.

"Fraternity urges us on a common path" the Pope stated, calling for increased interfaith dialogue in Indonesia and beyond.

During his visit, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam signed the "Istiqlal Declaration" which calls for global action against violence and environmental destruction.

The declaration, signed at the Istiqlal Mosque, highlights the role of interreligious dialogue in fostering peace and protecting human dignity, and urges religious communities to address global crises.

The declaration, supported by Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Protestants and Confucianists, is a significant move toward promoting unity in Indonesia where religious diversity is constitutionally protected.

Sources

Crux Now

Katholische

CathNews New Zealand

The pontiff arrived in Jakarta on 3 September, marking the start of his 12-day trip across Asia and Oceania.

On 5 September, Pope Francis is expected to preside over a large interfaith gathering at Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

The mosque is located opposite Jakarta's Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The two iconic sites are linked by a "fraternity tunnel" which symbolises religious unity and will be opened to the public after the pope's visit.

Joy and enthusiasm

Indonesian Catholics and non-Catholics alike have welcomed the pope's Indonesia visit with joy and enthusiasm.

Maria Jovita, a 21-year-old Catholic student, said the pope's visit inspires young people. "The pope is not just the supreme leader of the Catholic Church but also an icon of global peace" she said.

"The papal visit emboldens the spirit of Catholic youth across Indonesia and also youths from other faiths" she told UCA News.

Muslim residents have also praised Pope Francis for his commitment to promoting peace and interfaith dialogue. Nabila Aprilia, a Muslim who plans to attend the interfaith meeting, said "I welcome the pope because his visit unites all religions in Indonesia".

"I am glad he will visit the mosque, and Muslims feel proud of it" she added.

Yahya Cholil Staquf, the chairman of Indonesia's largest liberal Muslim organisation Nahdatul Ulama, which has 80 million followers, was among those who welcomed Francis when he arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta.

Cholil said the pope was welcome to "enjoy the country of unity, tolerance and brotherhood".

Peace and brotherhood

Pope Francis' Indonesia visit underscores his global appeal for harmony. He continues to advocate for peace in conflict regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East.

His prior efforts, including signing the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, are also recognised for fostering Christian-Muslim solidarity.

The Abu Dhabi Document is hailed as a Muslim-Christian manifesto for world peace and brotherhood based on religious harmony.

Sources

UCA News

Channel News Asia

CathNews New Zealand

Interfaith leaders gathered on the steps of St Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Wellington to hold their Bibles and other sacred texts for a photo opportunity.

But this was a photo of a very different kind to the one in which Trump held up a Bible on the steps of an Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

The US President had stood in front of Washington's St John's Episcopal Church clutching an upside-down copy of the Bible amongst a backdrop of anger over the death of black man George Floyd at the hands of a police officer.

World media has widely reported the angry response to Trump's photo, which came after law enforcement teams used violent tactics against peaceful protesters in order to clear the way for the President to walk to the church.

In response, the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral, the Very Rev. David Rowe, felt it was time to re-imagine Trump's photo through the lenses of peace, love and solidarity.

He invited interfaith and cultural leaders to stand on the steps of the Cathedral, holding their sacred texts, to model a more positive alternative.

Members of the Sikh, Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Protestant and Catholic communities were among those in attendance.

Some members of the group held signs saying Love your neighbour, and Aroha ki tou hoa tata.

"We wanted to just say ‘there is another way, a peaceful way,' and to express our unity and working together for the common good," Rowe said.

Source

• movementonline.org.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

The foundation stone of St. Mary's Church, which is being rebuilt to accommodate more worshipers, was laid in the Butranwali district of Gujranwala in November last year.

Around 50 Christian families are estimated to be living in the Muslim-majority community where the church is being rebuilt.

"It is an example of true love and brotherhood that Muslim people have opened their hearts and are financing the construction work," the parish priest, Father Samran said.

"A church is the physical body of Christ on earth and we are the living parts of that one body because of the spirit of God. It is the physical representation of Heaven itself and the Holy Mass is celebrated in a church.

"We are glad that not only the local Christian community but also our Muslim brothers are supporting the construction work, which is a true sign of brotherhood and peace."

"The contribution coming from our Muslim neighbours for this holy cause will never be forgotten."

But why is the church so important to this community?

A local teacher who is in charge of the renovation work, said St. Joseph's Parish is one of 27 parishes in Lahore Archdiocese.

"It is one of the oldest mission stations in the archdiocese," Nazir Masih said.

"It was founded in 1953 by Capuchin missionaries from Belgium."

Masih says the rebuilt church will "be a visible sign of our identity and a shelter for the faithful. We need financial support to complete the construction work without any further delay."

When asked, local Muslims said they were helping to maintain a long community tradition of living in peace with one another.

Another Muslim said he had contributed 60,000 rupees (about US$400) to the cause.

"My small contribution for the House of God has filled my heart with joy which cannot be expressed in words. We [Muslims and Christians] live side by side in peace and harmony. Our community is a shining example for others," he said.

Source

• UCA News
• Image: UCA News

He has sent a message of greeting to "all our Hindu brothers and sisters as you celebrate one of the most important and brightest celebrations, "Deepawali" or "festival of lights".

"I take this opportunity on behalf of the Catholic Church in Fiji to wish you all a very joyous and meaningful Diwali."

The Archbishop said,"Our religious beliefs, values and traditions are at the core of our identity as people. They can help us learn from each other's rich traditions and to create a just and peaceful human family."

Chong said Deepawali's basic message is the triumph of good over evil, a conversion from darkness to light, from captivity to freedom.

It is about forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.

So it carries a similar message to that of two important Christian celebrations namely Easter and Epiphany.

"Both of these celebrate Jesus Christ's victory over the darkness of sin and death. They reveal Christ as the light of our lives and of our world, a light that dispels darkness and restores our relationship with one another and with God."

The message of Deepawali communicates to us the goodness of God who enables us to banish all darkness and evil from our lives and the world.

Source

• Fiji Times
• Image: Fiji Live

A prayer mat is spread, a candle lit and the colourful robes of a bronze deity are smoothed.

The door of an old church is opened. A moment of meditation is observed. Continue reading

The dedication ceremony was attended by representative leaders of the Catholic, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist communities attended and individually blessed the room. Continue reading

But a political analyst, Grant Wyeth, says the change has the potential to actually create religious tensions.

Samoa is no longer a secular state after its Parliament voted on bill which amends the Constitution to officially declare itself as a Christian nation.

The bill was passed in the first week of June. 43 of the parliaments 49 members voted in favour of the bill. It now awaits the signature of the Head of State.

The change to the constitution means those who claim to be interpreters of God's will in Samoan society will now hold a far greater legal sway.

There is also the potential for more theocratic tendencies to emerge.

Churches lobbying the government for both their own tangible interests, or causes they consider of importance, will now have the state's foundation's document on their side.

But this could create a denominational rivalry for influence over the state.

While 98 percent of Samoa's population identify as Christian, there is a range beliefs within the country.

Christian denominations include the evangelical Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, a large number of Roman Catholics, as well as the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, and the Methodist Church.

There has been a strong recent increase in Mormons (15 percent of the population and rising),

The likelihood of any radical Islamic elements with the organizational capacity to create tensions in Samoa is extremely remote.

The 2001 census counted the followers of Islam to be 0.03 percent of the Samoan population, or 48 people.

Although religious numbers haven't been counted in subsequent censuses, it's unlikely that the figure has increased too much beyond this. The country has only one mosque that is very modestly attended.

Source

• thediplomat.com
• Image: bahai-library.com

After sentencing Purnama, known as Ahok, was taken to Cipinang Penitentiary in Jakarta, which houses criminals including drug dealers and rapists.

The sentence was harsher than what prosecutors had asked for.

They had recommended two years' probation on a lesser charge, which would have spared Purnama prison time.

"We respect the decision but we can't accept it,"said Purnama's defence lawyer I Wayan Sidarta.

"We understand the pressure surrounding this case, but we're disappointed."

"We will file an appeal to challenge the decision,"

According to a Jakarta Post report, Wayan also questioned the judges' decision to detain Purnama as he had been cooperative during the hearing.

"Why should Ahok be detained? Ahok will still be governor, so he won't escape."

Under Indonesia's procedural code, he was not eligible to remain free during his appeal because he had faced a possible sentence of five years or more, according to legal experts.

Blasphemy is a crime in Indonesia, a secular democracy with the world's largest Muslim population.

The allegation of blasphemy is thought to have played a major part in Purnama's defeat, last month, by Anies Baswedan, a former minister of education and culture, in an election for Governor.

His deputy is expected to take over until Baswedan takes office in October.

A day before the verdict, the security minister, Wiranto announced that legal action would be taken to disband the Indonesian chapter of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an ultra conservative Islamic political movement that had participated in some of the protests against Purnama.

Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democratic governance and says it aims to create a Pan-Islamic state, by force if necessary.

Source

• nytimes.com
• channelnewsasia.com
• Image: channelnewsasia.com

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, issued the appeal on April 28.

It contained nine points targeted at religious preachers and the broader public.

Bishop Yohanes Harun Yuwono of Tanjungkarang, chairman of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Indonesian Catholic bishops' conference (KWI) welcomed the appeal and said that sermons should promote harmony.

"As a religious leader, I am embarrassed that the call to deliver a good sermon has had to be conveyed by government officials," he said.

"There would be no need for such an appeal if religious leaders understood their tasks better."

Yuwono said the Catholic Church wants priests to preach noble values of humanity that build true brotherhood. "Surely, they must also preach diversity and love for all people."

Zainud Tauhid Saadi, deputy chairman of the Indonesia Ulema Council, the top Muslim clerical body, also supported the appeal.

However, since the appeal was not legally binding, he was worried that it would not work effectively.

Hendardi, chairman of rights watchdog the Setara Institute, said the appeal was one way to stop hate speeches.

However, he also said the appeal would not have a significant impact if it is not enforced.

"In the context of using mosques to spread religious and ethnic sentiments during the election, the authorities should be ready to take action," he said.

"The Jakarta election has become a lesson for us all. We do not want similar situations to recur in future, especially in the 2019 presidential election".

"The quality of democracy is not merely being rooted in the outcome of an election but in how the electoral process stands and promotes the values of democracy."

Source

• en.radiovaticana.va
• asiancorrespondent.com
• Image: ucannews.com

They discussed interfaith relations between the religious communities in Britain.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols and other Catholic leaders have been working for the past 30 years to develop strong ties with the UK's local Muslim communities.

Francis greeted the group saying "I like to think that the most important work that we must do between us, in humanity, is the work 'of the ear'.

This work is "to listen to one another — to listen to one another without hurrying to give an answer," he said.

The results of the work Nichols and others have been doing includes encouraging practical locally based initiatives such as foodbanks for needy people and special welcomes for refugees.

In March, Nichols stood with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Muslim and Jewish leaders in London to condemn the terror attack at the Houses of Parliament.

As prayers were said for the victims, the cardinal read out a message from Pope Francis offering condolences to the grieving families and solidarity with the whole nation.

Source

• Zenit
• Vatican Radio
• Hindustan Times

The idea behind it is for people to get to know a Muslim.

"I was encouraged to do it by what is going on in the world - the proposed Muslim ban [in the United States]. I thought it was really important that I reach out to my neighbours," he said. Continue reading

It also says Muslim Reform Movement Organization. And New Synagogue of Long Island. And Interfaith Community of Long Island.

Together, these four communities form the Multifaith Campus, a novel experiment in multiple religions sharing not just a building but a community. Continue reading

The Immaculate Conception B.V.M. Catholic Church in Bristol Township, located 25 miles outside of Philadelphia, was purchased by the United American Muslim Society, based in Brooklyn, New York, for $1.775 million last Friday.

The real estate transaction was announced during weekend masses at Queen of the Universe Parish. The announcement was "positively received by parishioners," Continue reading

The reconciliation took place on Sunday.

The chairman of the Vanuatu Christian Council, Pastor Allan Nafuki, said they would not support the ceremony and instead plan a march for all Christians in Vanuatu next Friday.

The want to send out a message that Vanuatu is a Christian country.

Earlier this year Nafuki said Vanuatu must amend its law on ‘Religious Rights' by inserting the word ‘Christian Country' into its Constitution.

He said leaders might reason that Vanuatu is a democratic country but on the contrary they should consider countries like Greece where only a certain number of religious faiths are allowed into their country.

About 83% Vanuatu's population is Christian.

The 2009 census di not seek data about the Muslim community. However it is reported that there are about 200 Muslim converts. Other sources put it as high as 1000.

The Moslem population is centred on the village of Melle, near Port Villa.

The first mosque in Vanuatu was built there in 1992.

It is just a small building painted white, green, like a very simple house.

Other mosques in the island of Tanna and Erromango Island.

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• republika.co.id
• dailypost.vu
• bujangmasjid.blogspot.co.nz
• Image: bujangmasjid.blogspot.co.nz

"I don't want Australia to be taken over by Islam and have too many of Muslims in the country, and that's not just my views, it's the views of many Australians.

"They're actually protesting on the streets, do not want more mosques, do not want Muslim schools, do not want the burqa, do not want halal certification."

Hanson says she has no problem with other religions, but believes Islam was not compatible with Australian culture.

"Now with Islam we see terrorism, we see murders, we see problems on our streets.

"I'm calling for a royal commission into Islam to determine if it really truly is a religion or is it a political ideology trying to undermine our democracy.

"There needs to be measures to make sure foreigners don't go to New Zealand to get Australian citizenship. I'm trying to look at it fair on both sides."

On her website, Hanson says Australia is a country built on Christian values. Our laws, way of life and customs enforced in the Australian Constitution were based on a secular society.

Secularism is asserting the right to be free from religious rule and teachings or, in a state declared to be neutral on matters of belief, from the imposition by government or religion or religious practices upon the people.

Source:

• onenation.com.au
• newshub.co.nz
• Image: aljazeera.com

Mustenser Qamar and a group of friends used a white board displaying the text, "I am a Muslim so that makes me..." to invite members of the public to share their views on Muslim culture.

The group, who call themselves Meet a Muslim NZ, said their main objective was to show New Zealanders that Muslims are the same as anybody else in the world. Continue reading

It is a Lampedusa Cross, made from the wreckage of a refugee boat by Francesco Tucci, a carpenter on the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The Lampedusa Cross arrived at the Church in Dunedin last Friday.

It is believed to be the first Lampedusa Cross commissioned by a New Zealand organisation.

Organist and choirmaster Emeritus Prof Colin Gibson said the cross would be officially dedicated when the next group of refugees arrived in Dunedin, in August.

Lampedusa lies north of the Libyan coast. It is often the first landfall for migrants and refugees fleeing from North Africa and the Middle East.

Many of the boats were small, overcrowded and unseaworthy, so that they often capsized near Lampedusa, taking hundreds of refugees to a watery death.

Tucci made the first Lampedusa cross after he met some of the refugees in his local church.

Though unable to help them in a concrete way, he collected wood from their wrecked boat and made each of them a cross as a symbol of hope.

The artist wrote this about the cross:

"There were and are wooden boats coming to Lampedusa carrying people looking for help.

And, although I have helped many, I was scarred by the desperation of those who had managed to save themselves.

I also saw children and adults drowning.

After I had seen so many landings, I was utterly dismayed. Finding clothes, shoes and food for the migrants was not enough for me. I wondered what I could do.

I thought, I prayed, I searched for divine inspiration in my heart, I looked at Jesus nailed on the cross and a deep emotion struck me - now I am the castaway searching for Providence, desperately trying to give voice to the scream that is dying in my throat, with a wish to raise awareness, in order to create a solid chain of help.

The answer came, it was always there, in front of my eyes - Jesus. That is why I built a great cross from the wood of those refugee boats arriving in Lampedusa.

I decided not to polish the wood, instead leaving it as it is: a wretched witness, ruined by so much pain."

After he became Pope, Francis' first official trip outside of Rome, was to Lampedusa.

He celebrated mass at a beach on an upturned boat that had carried refugees from North Africa and Tucci gave him a cross.

The Pope carried this cross in the Good Friday procession this year.

Source

• odt.co.nz
• santafenewmexican.com
• anglicancentreinrome.org
• Image: www.bbc.com

Robertus Belarminus Asiyanto, 31, was ordained last Oct. 10 at the St. Paul Ledalero Seminary, Maumere, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.

During the ordination rites, he was accompanied by his mother, Siti Asiyah, who was wearing Islamic dress, including the hijab Read more