From September 3 to September 6, Pope Francis made an apostolic visit to Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population on this planet. The Pope noted that the flight from Rome to Jakarta was his longest trip in his apostolic journey. Among his busy schedule, both for state and church matters, on Thursday (September 5, 2024), Pope Francis, along with the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Jakarta, Kyai Haji Nasaruddin Umar, jointly signed the Istiqlal Declaration 2024. Istiqlal is the name of the largest mosque in Indonesia, located directly opposite Jakarta’s Cathedral, where the document was signed and declared. These two iconic places of worship are connected by a tunnel adorned with images of friendship and brotherhood. The Istiqlal Declaration 2024, then, is not only profound in substance but also symbolically rich.
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Two key issues highlighted in the Istiqlal Declaration 2024 are dehumanization (humanitarian crisis) and climate change. The first issue addresses the global phenomenon of dehumanization, marked by the spread of violence and conflict, often resulting in large-scale casualties. More concerning is the frequent manipulation of religion in these instances, causing suffering for many, particularly women, children, and the elderly. The second issue focuses on humanity’s exploitation of our common home, contributing to climate change. This has led to various destructive consequences, such as natural disasters, global warming, and unpredictable weather patterns. The ongoing environmental crisis has become an obstacle to harmonious communal life.
Credit: Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Istiqlal Declaration 2024 was presented in Indonesia by two religious and spiritual leaders—Islamic and Roman Catholic. Understanding this Declaration from two perspectives, through the lens of Pancasila as the foundation of Indonesian society, and through the views of Pope Francis’s teachings as a reflection of Catholic faith, is the aim of this article.
Pancasila, Indonesia’s philosophical foundation, comprises five key principles that are reflected in the Istiqlal Declaration’s message for humanity:
1.“Belief in the One and Only God” (Ketuhanan yang Maha Esa). The Istiqlal Declaration, signed by religious leaders, underscores the importance of faith and religion in maintaining peace and addressing global crises such as humanitarian conflicts and climate change. This aligns with the first principle of Pancasila, which acknowledges the divine and highlights the role of religion in promoting harmony.
2.“Just and Civilized Humanity” (Kemanusiaan yang Adil dan Beradab). The Declaration’s focus on dehumanization and violence directly aligns with the second principle, which emphasizes just and civilized humanity. The condemnation of using religion to justify violence and oppression reflects the essence of this principle—respect for human dignity and justice.
3.“The Unity of Indonesia” (Persatuan Indonesia). Pancasila promotes national unity. By addressing global challenges such as conflict and climate change, the Istiqlal Declaration implicitly supports the idea that solidarity and cooperation are essential for the survival and prosperity of the global community, including Indonesia.
4. “Democracy Guided by the Inner Wisdom of Deliberation” (Kerakyatan yang Dipimpin oleh Hikmat Kebijaksanaan dalam Permusyawaratan/Perwakilan). Climate change and humanitarian crises demand collective deliberation and action, both nationally and globally. This democratic principle emphasizes the importance of inclusive dialogue and collaboration in addressing global issues, a call that resonates with the Declaration.
5.“Social Justice for All the People of Indonesia” (Keadilan Sosial bagi Seluruh Rakyat Indonesia). The Declaration’s call to alleviate the suffering of marginalized groups, including women, children, and the elderly, reflects Pancasila’s emphasis on social justice. The Declaration underscores the need to protect the vulnerable and build a just society, in line with Indonesia’s commitment to justice for all.
The Istiqlal Declaration also bears relevance and consistency with Pope Francis’s writings on humanity and the ecological crisis, for which he is well-known. There is a clear intersection between the Declaration and his teachings, particularly in three areas:
1.“Human Dignity and Solidarity” Both the Istiqlal Declaration and Pope Francis emphasize the need to respect human dignity and build solidarity, especially in times of crisis. Pope Francis has often condemned the “throwaway culture” that dehumanizes the poor and vulnerable, similar to the Declaration’s criticism of dehumanization through violence and religious manipulation.
2.“Religion as a Force for Good” Pope Francis frequently stresses that true religion must promote peace, not be manipulated for violence or exclusion. The Istiqlal Declaration echoes this message by condemning the misuse of religion for violent purposes, promoting the idea that faith should be a source of love, unity, and peace.
3.“Ecological Stewardship” One of the two focuses of the Istiqlal Declaration, the climate crisis, is closely aligned with Pope Francis’s call to care for our common home. In Laudato Si’, the Pope highlights how environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized, a concern mirrored in the Declaration’s recognition of the destructive consequences of climate change, including unpredictable weather patterns and natural disasters. Both documents call for urgent collective action to protect the environment and safeguard future generations.
Thus, the Istiqlal Declaration 2024 can be seen as part of a broader global movement, a cross-faith initiative advocating for humanitarian action and ecological responsibility. It is not merely an initiative of specific parties but a universal call for peace, justice, and care for our planet.
