King Salman and President Jokowi Perform Tahiyatul Masjid Prayer at Istiqlal Mosque
King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia and President Joko Widodo perform a Tahiyatul Masjid Prayer at Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, on Thursday (2/3)
After delivering a short speech at the House of Representatives (DPR-RI), Khadimul Haramain Al-Syarifain/the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia on Thursday (2/3) headed to Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta.
Upon his arrival, the King was welcomed by President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar. The three of them then took the escalator to the second floor. Afterward, King Salman went straight to the place where he performed the Tahiyatul Masjid Prayer while President Jokowi prayed at his left, and Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar at his right.
King Salman, Nasaruddin Umar, President Jokowi, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, and Deputy Forign Affairs Minister A.M. Fachir performed 2 rakats of Tahiyatul Masjid.
After the prayer, King Salman, President Jokowi, and Nasaruddin Umar were absorbed in their solemn zikir and prayer.
On that occasion, King Salman also signed the VIP guest book of heads of states or guests of honor who visited Istiqlal Mosque, and gave Kiswah (the cloth that covers the Kaaba) to Nasaruddin Umar as a memento from Saudi Arabia.
King Salman also received explanation of the history of Istiqlal Mosque from the Mosque official. For the record, Istiqlal Mosque was built on 24 August 1961 during the administration of President Soekarno. The Mosque was built to express Indonesias gratitude which the majority population is Muslim, and to thank Allah SWT for Indonesias independence. Therefore, the Mosque was named “Istiqlal”, an Arabic word for “independence”.
Istiqlal Mosque is a symbol of religious tolerance in Indonesia as located in front of the Jakarta Cathedral.
After hearing the history of Istiqlal Mosque, King Salman headed to the Presidential Palace, Jakarta. At approximately 2.28 p.m., King Salman and President Jokowi left the Mosque on a car with SAUDI ARABIA license plate. (AGG/RAH/ES) (RA/ MMB/ YM/Naster)
