Anies Inaugurates The Church In Penjaringan With Gus Miftah And The Secretary General Of PBNU

Governor Anies Baswedan and Gus Miftah (Photo: Jakarta Provincial Government Public Relations)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan inaugurated the Great Mandate of the Indonesian Bethel Church (GBI) at Bandengan Utara Street, Penjaringan, North Jakarta.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by the Head of the Religious Harmony Forum North Jakarta Wirta Amin Assalaf, Gus Miftah Secretary-General of the PBNU (Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama) Helmy Faisal Zaini, Dandim 05/02/JU Colonel Inf Roynald Sumendap, North Jakarta Metro Police Chief Kombes Guruh Arif Darmawan, as well as other DKI Provincial Government officials.

In his remarks, Anies admitted that he was grateful for the completion of the rebuilding of the church after a long process of 37 years.

"This is a story about the presence of a place of worship that not only facilitates worship activities but also facilitates harmony between residents around it", said Anies at the location, Thursday, April 29.

Anies also admitted that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has managed to maintain an attitude of tolerance among religious believers with high scores, thus winning the 2020 Harmony Award.

This, said Anies, could not be separated because of the program to equalize the needs for places of worship from various religions in Jakarta, by running the Operational Assistance for Places of Worship (BOTI) program since 2019.

"With the existence of BOTI Program, the Government is here for all the needs of the religious community so that there will be a sense of trust among citizens that we support each other. I would like to thank GBI Amanat Agung which is an indicator part of the success of DKI in achieving the Harmoni Award", he said.

Continuing, Gus Miftah said that communication between religions must be developed so that harmony in religion can be realized.

"I always say that religion is to be practiced not to be debated. The issue of faith is its own, but the issue of muamalah (human relations in social interactions), God willing, we can come together", said Gus Miftah.