TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced today, February 7, that he has agreed on the construction plan of an underground tunnel connecting Istiqlal Grand Mosque and Cathedral Church. The two buildings are located right across each other in Central Jakarta.

He said the tunnel was expected to facilitate the brotherhood between religious communities. “This will be a ‘silaturahmi’ tunnel,” said the President when inspecting the renovation project of the Grand Mosque, Jakarta, Friday morning.

Accompanied the President were State Secretariat Minister Pratikno, Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi, Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.

“There is a recommendation about the construction of a tunnel from Istiqlal Mosque to Cathedral, and I have agreed on the idea, so this will be a ‘silaturahmi’ tunnel, and people will no longer have to cross the road,” the state head remarked.

The revamping project of the largest mosque in Southeast Asia commenced in May 2019. Jokowi hoped the process would complete before Ramadan 2020 so that the prayer building could be used for Muslims to perform mass Taraweeh.

The government through the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry earmarked a total of Rp475 billion for the renovation project of Istiqlal Mosque, which includes the exterior and interior design of the building, the parking lot, floors, as well as the river crossing the building.

ANTARA