By/ Dr. Mohamed Gharawi – Saudi author and researcher
At a time when the world is grappling with profound crises of identity and coexistence, Indonesia stands out as one of the most successful countries in managing demographic, religious and cultural diversity. Home to around 285 million people, the nation brings together hundreds of ethnic groups, languages and dialects under the umbrella of six officially recognized religions, forging a stable model based on national harmony and respect for differences.
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| Dr Mohamed Gharawi. |
In the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, the biggest mosque in East Asia rises as a defining landmark of a society that embraced Islam centuries ago. Istiqlal Mosque, an Islamic masterpiece and a unique architectural monument, attracts visitors from all over the world. The national mosque in Jakarta was built to commemorate Indonesia’s independence, and the name “Istiqlal” itself is an Arabic word meaning independence. It was officially opened to the public in February 1978.
The place carries a powerful presence. Feelings of pride and belonging envelop visitors as they enter this historic mosque with its distinctive architectural character. One’s eyes are drawn to both artistic beauty and spiritual serenity, reflected in the worshippers’ intimate supplications to their Lord. Built during the era of Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president after independence, Istiqlal Mosque was deliberately constructed near Merdeka Palace, the seat of government. It also stands adjacent to Jakarta Cathedral, in a heritage-inspired design. The story of its construction conveys a clear message of religious harmony and tolerance among faiths, values deeply embedded in Indonesia’s national identity and its Pancasila principles, which form the philosophical foundation of the Indonesian nation.
Precise architectural calculations accompanied the construction of one of the world’s largest mosques in the heart of Jakarta. The main dome has a diameter of 45 meters, while the smaller dome measures 8 meters in diameter. The height of the minaret symbolically corresponds to Indonesia’s Independence Day, which falls on 17 August, coinciding with Friday the ninth of Ramadan. The mosque also consists of five floors, symbolizing the Five Pillars of Islam, and rests on twelve main columns, referencing the date of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth, peace be upon him. Visitors walking through the mosque witness the mastery of Islamic engineering and architectural art.
On one such Friday prayer at this historic mosque, the minbar was ascended by the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, His Excellency Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa. In his khutbah, he emphasized the importance of the Indonesian experience in managing diversity and the role it plays in promoting coexistence within the Muslim world. He recalled the Indonesian model as a “practical guide” demonstrating that diversity does not weaken nations but rather strengthens them when grounded in values of justice, mercy and cooperation. He stressed that Indonesia has succeeded in creating a rare state of national harmony based on respect for differences and pride in a moderate Islamic identity. The significance of his address lay not only in praising the Indonesian experience but also in placing it within a global context. Amid the global rise of hate speech and extremism, Indonesia emerges as a model from which the Muslim world can learn.
Harmony and coexistence have never been achieved through isolation, but through the formulation of an inclusive national project that respects differences and grants every component its right to presence and participation. The success of Indonesia’s coexistence story did not come by chance; it is the result of long-term efforts involving scholars and community leaders, reinforced through educational and religious institutions that embraced moderation.
The strength of the Indonesian model stems from a set of factors accumulated over decades. Since independence, the state has managed to establish a national framework that unites all under the concept of Pancasila, Indonesia’s national ideology. This framework does not negate ethnic or religious affiliations but integrates them into a shared national entity. The model suggests that unity in diverse societies is not achieved by minimizing or ignoring differences, but by organizing them within a common national framework committed to justice and respect for rights. The experience of Istiqlal Mosque clearly demonstrates that building trust among different components of society is fundamental to achieving this goal.
The role of the Muslim World League (MWL) and its contributions to promoting moderation and coexistence have been praised by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Prabowo Subianto. The MWL is an international organization that has launched global initiatives such as the Makkah Declaration, the Charter of Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects, and programs for interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Through these efforts, it works to present Islam in a manner consistent with its core message of peace understanding and bridge-building among peoples.
The Indonesian experience further shows that stability is not the result of the absence of diversity, but rather the presence of a system capable of accommodating and managing it. This is what makes Indonesia an important model that can inform future visions and contribute to the search for practical approaches to reconciling diversity and unity within Muslim societies.
Kategori : News
Editor : AHS
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