JAKARTA - The discussion between the Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas directly with the world's Catholic religious leader Pope Francis has become a special joy for the Indonesian public. However, not everyone, even if they are high-ranking officials, has the opportunity to speak so closely with Pope Francis.

This moment of happiness for the Minister of Religion Yaqut was also shared on Twitter to his personal Facebook. The feeling of happiness and pride from the Minister of Religion Yaqut turned out to be the concern of Permadi Activist alias Abu Janda.

On his Instagram account, @permadiaktivis2, Abu Janda shared moments of closeness between Minister of Religion Yaqut and Pope Francis. As usual, Abu Janda immediately stepped on the gas in sarcasm of groups that had often contradicted the policies of the Minister of Religion Yaqut or the government.

"Someone asked me: bro, why do you like to defend non-Muslims? Answer: because I was taught by my commander @gusyaqut," said Abu Janda quoted Thursday, June 9.

Abu Janda said that the meeting between Minister of Religion Yaqut and Pope Francis proved that the Islam that he wanted to spread was full of love, not the other way around.

"That's the difference between us and Kadrun. Kadrun spreads Islam full of hate. We spread Islam full of love. Lap yu pul," said Abu Janda.

"Now he is in the vatican sowan to his friend the pope @franciscus may he always be given health, amen," he wrote.

The happy moment of meeting so close to Pope Francis was told by Minister of Religion Yaqut on his Facebook page. Gus Yaqut--his nickname--started his encounter with the Pope with the greeting, "Blessings in the realm, Your Holliness".

"I introduce myself Your Honor. My name is Yaqut Cholil, Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia. As mandated by our constitution, I must maintain tolerance and peace between the six main religions and hundreds of local religions," Yaqut said.

Yaqut said he was grateful to be able to come to the Vatican for the second time. To the Pope, Yaqut said that he first came in September 2019, but on this occasion the former Deputy Regent of Rembang brought a different group.

What was said by Yaqut, Pope Francis smiled back. Yaqut then said there were three messages he had to convey.

First, he said, the PKB politician wanted to convey an invitation from President Joko Widodo to 'Your Holliness' to come to visit Indonesia.

"Secondly, I am also here to send greetings from the Indonesian catholic community and the archbishops as well as the bishops, who are eager to meet His Holiness in person. They are praying for your health and hope to see His Majesty come to Indonesia," Yaqut said. .

Furthermore, the third, Yaqut explained that he came to the Vatican with the chairman of the largest Islamic organization in the world, Nahdlatul Ulama. Yaqut brought the General Chair of PBNU KH Yahya Cholil Staquf alias Gus Yahya when he was with Pope Francis.

"Mr. Yahya, who has met His Majesty several times. He will immediately convey the purpose of his visit to His Majesty. He (the Pope) smiled and replied: ... (secret)," said Yaqut.

Pope Francis, continued Yaqut, then gave a souvenir before inviting himself and his entourage from Indonesia to say goodbye.


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