President Prabowo Subianto: Silaturahim Tunnel is Symbol of Interfaith Harmony

President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the “Silaturahim Tunnel” at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Thursday (12/12) (Photo by: BPMI/Muchlis Jr)

President Prabowo Subianto Thursday (12/12) inaugurated the “Silaturahim Tunnel” at the Istiqlal Mosque compound in Central Jakarta.

The tunnel, which connects two places of worship—the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church—was built to facilitate movement between the two religious sites.

“I am very pleased to attend the inauguration of the Silaturahim Tunnel between the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church today,” the President said.

Functionally, the 34-meter long and 6-meter deep tunnel is designed to support the mobility of worshippers traveling between the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church.

In his remarks, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that the tunnel symbolizes religious harmony and adds a unique characteristic to Indonesia.

“A nation with different religions, ethnicities, races, languages, and customs can unite and live in peace because we share the same vision—to achieve a future that brings happiness to all the people of Indonesia,” he said.

The President also expressed belief that Indonesia, as a diverse nation with a variety of ethnic groups and religions, draws strength from these differences, which contribute to the country’s growth and unity.

“For us, differences should not create division. In fact, our differences are our strength, and they should never be a source of conflict,” he added.

The project, which was built between 2020 and 2021 with an investment of Rp39 billion, was designed with accessibility in mind, including for people with disabilities.

The President also praised the construction of the tunnel and urged all parties to continue maintaining religious harmony in the country.

“Congratulations and thank you. Let us continue uphold harmony, maintain good relations among us. There is nothing more important than harmony and peace. Only with peace can we achieve prosperity. Only with peace can we become a just and prosperous nation,” said President Prabowo Subianto.

In the meantime, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar reported that the construction of the Silaturahim Tunnel was a directive from the President in 2020 to facilitate easier access for worshippers between two religious sites. He also noted that the tunnel’s design serves as a reminder of the importance of religious tolerance.

“It has a gallery that tells the history of interfaith relationships in Indonesia and represented by the cooperation between the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church,” the Minister said. (BPMI/DNS) (EST/EP)