Arriving At The Istiqlal Mosque, Pope Francis Was Greeted By The Typical Betawi Marawi Music

Pope Francis received the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar in the courtyard of the Istiqal Mosque, Thursday 5 September 2024 (Indonesia Papal Visit Committee)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis' supreme leader arrived at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, in the context of meeting with a number of interfaith leaders, Thursday morning, September 5. Pope Francis was greeted with marawis music, collaboration in Middle Eastern and Betawi arts.

Pope Francis arrived at the Istiqlal Mosque at 09.03 WIB. The Pope's arrival was welcomed by the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar and various interfaith figures. The Pope also had the opportunity to visit the gathering tunnel connecting the Cathedral Church with the Istiqlal Mosque.

After that moment, the Pope and Nasaruddin Umar walked to the venue accompanied by traditional music marawis. The Islamic art music is played by children wearing traditional betawi clothes. Several musical instruments are played, such as drums, waist dumbuk, dumbuk batu, simbal, to Tamborine.

The event continued with reading verses of the Qur'an and the Bible ahead of the signing of humanitarian documents with interfaith figures. The document will affirm a universal agreement on humanitarian issues.

After the reading of these two holy books, there will be a opening address by the high priest of the Istiqlal Mosque. Followed by Pope Francis' speech which was translated into English. After that, there was a reading of the interfaith declaration.