Jokowi: Renovation Of The Istiqlal Mosque Is The Pride Of The Indonesian Nation

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo reminded that the renovation of the Istiqlal mosque should not be used as a showy event. Because, the purpose of renovation was not for that.

"Renovation of the Istiqlal mosque to make it more magnificent is not just for show," said President Joko Widodo at the Istiqlal mosque complex in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Thursday, January 7.

Also attending the inauguration was the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono, Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Nazaruddin Umar to DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.

"It is not only the pride of Muslims but also the pride of all Indonesian people, the pride of our nation, Indonesia," said the President.

The president also reminded that the Istiqlal mosque was founded 42 years ago as an expression of gratitude for God's grace because the Indonesian nation gained independence.

"This spirit was clearly recorded in 1953 when Muslim leaders gathered and sparked the idea of establishing a mosque as a symbol of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia and it was agreed that the name Istiqlal is a mosque which in Arabic means independence," said the President.

President Jokowi hopes that the Istiqlal mosque will not only be physically magnificent. "But it is far from being a means to increase faith and piety in Allah SWT towards the empowerment of the ummah and as a pioneer of preaching the moderation of the world's Muslims," said the President.

As a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, according to the President, Indonesia through the Istiqlal mosque should be an example for mosques in other countries.

"To be an example in developing soothing Islamic symbols, which builds tolerance and builds peace," said the President.

Not to be left behind, President Jokowi reminded visitors to the Istiqlal mosque to continue to implement strict health protocols.

"Lastly, considering that the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is still happening in our midst, I invite Muslims who use the Istiqlal mosque for both worship and other activities to adhere to strict health protocol discipline," said the President.

According to the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nazaruddin Umuar, the renovation of the largest mosque in Indonesia took 14 months with around 1,000 workers.

Renovations also helped build an underground tunnel connecting Istiqlal and the Jakarta Cathedral Church.