ASIA/INDONESIA - Bishops close to Islamic leaders at the end of Ramadan: there is talk of peace

Monday, 26 June 2017 human rights   religious minorities   religious freedom   ramadan   islam   christianity   dialogue  

Semarang (Agenzia Fides) - Peace and interreligious coexistence in Indonesia: this is the central theme of the encounter that newly-elected Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko, at the head of the Catholic community of Semarang in central Java, had on the occasion of the Muslim feast of Id al-Fitr, concluding moment of Ramadan's sacred Islamic month. As Fides learns, the Archbishop visited religious and civilian Muslim leaders in the Great Mosque of Central Java. Accompanied by the President of the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Fr. Budi Purnomo, Mgr. Rubiyatmoko, after the prayers of Id-al Fitr, was welcomed by Deputy Governor of Central Java, Heru Sudjatmoko, President of the management of the Great Mosque, Hajj Noor Achmad. The speech immediately focused on the urgency that Indonesians, believers of all religions, live in harmony and peace.
Archbishop Rubiyatmoko conveyed the greeting message published by the Holy See on the occasion of Id-al-Fitr titled "Christians and Muslims: take care of our common home". The Archbishop then visited the Mayor of Semarang Hendrar Prihadi, other major public officials such as the Chief of Police, and also Mancoro Pesantren Islamic College.
As reported to Fides, even other Indonesian Bishops, such as Bishop Hendricus Pidyarto Gunawan of Malang and Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Ammoina, had friendly meetings with Muslim religious leaders at the end of Ramadan.
On behalf of all Catholic faithful in Indonesia, Archbishop of Jakarta Ignazio Suharyo, President of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia, published a video for Id al-Fitr, in which it wishes and hopes that "indigenous citizens will always be united in order to build harmony and peace in Indonesia".
The Archbishop hopes that the celebration will be an occasion "to promote a more just and prosperous Indonesia, with the closest cooperation of all, and in the common will to engage in a radiant future of our nation". (PP-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 26/6/2017)


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