IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially reopened the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta on January 7, 2021, following a grand renovation. Jokowi was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.
“By saying Bismillah [in the name of God], I inaugurate the renovation of Istiqlal Mosque today,” said the President as broadcasted on the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, Thursday, January 7, 2021.
The renovation of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque began in May 2019 and was completed in July 2020. This was the first major revamp since 1979, or 42 years ago.
The renovation, Jokowi mentioned, cost IDR 511 billion from the state budget or APBN. “The renovation of the mosque is not aimed to show off. This is not just the pride of Muslims but also all Indonesians. The pride of our nation, Indonesia,” Jokowi remarked.
Jokowi hoped that the Istiqlal Mosque would serve as a means to encourage iman (faith) and taqwa (piety), empower people, and become a pioneer of da’wah about Islam moderation.
“As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Istiqlal Mosque must be an example for other mosques in the world that promotes peaceful Islam, builds tolerance, and establishes peace,” Jokowi said.
DEWI NURITA
