A Little Story Behind the Compilation of a Book of Writings by 33 Indonesian Islamic Leaders
by Willem L. Turpijn*
“What if we invite Indonesian Islamic leaders to write about Pope Francis as a form of welcoming his arrival to Indonesia?”
The question came from Prof. Ismatu Ropi, M.A., Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, during a meeting in his office around the end of May 2024.
The idea just came up in the middle of a discussion about an interfaith festival for young people that we wanted to prepare for in the coming months. Although I could not yet imagine what the format of the book would be, or the technicalities of its preparation, I spontaneously supported this interesting idea.
Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar shares a moment of interfaith respect with Pope Francis, kissing the Pope on the head during a historic visit to the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, September 5, 2024.
The Importance of Listening to the Views of Islamic Leaders
The visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia on September 3 to 6, 2024 was a historic event for the Church, nation, and state of Indonesia. Apart from being a historical moment, the arrival of Pope Francis to Indonesia is a gift for the Church, nation and state of Indonesia, especially in the gift of dialogue and peace. On the other hand, the visit of Pope Francis is not only an important event for Catholics in Indonesia, but also has a significant impact on all Indonesian people and the international community.
It is a fact that Indonesia is the largest Islamic democracy in the world. Therefore, in the context of Pope Francis' apostolic visit to our country, the views of Islamic leaders need to be heard specifically without negating the views of leaders of other religions. There are at least four main reasons why it is important to listen to the views and aspirations of leaders of Islamic organizations, Muslim activists, and Indonesian Muslim scholars.
First, this voice represents both the unity and diversity of religion in Indonesia. Indonesia is a country with rich religious diversity, where Islam is the dominant religion. However, religious diversity is also one of the characteristics of this nation. In welcoming Pope Francis, the voices of Indonesian leaders of Islamic organizations, Muslim activists, and Muslim scholars will reflect unity in Indonesia's religious diversity. This will emphasize that although Indonesians have different beliefs, they can unite in a spirit of harmony and unity.
Second, the voice of Muslims is important as part of the desire to build an enlightening interfaith dialog. The arrival of Pope Francis is an opportunity for Indonesia to strengthen the building of an inclusive and enlightening interfaith dialogue. By involving the voices of leaders of Islamic organizations, Muslim activists, and Indonesian Muslim scholars, it is hoped to generate richer and more substantial discussions on relevant religious issues. This will help strengthen mutual understanding between religious communities and promote harmony and cooperation across faiths.
Third, this voice also affirms a commitment to tolerance and social justice. The importance of listening to the voice of Indonesian Muslims in welcoming Pope Francis also lies in affirming Indonesia's commitment to the values of tolerance and social justice. Through the active participation of leaders of Islamic organizations, Muslim activists, and Indonesian Muslim scholars, we can affirm that Indonesia is a country that values pluralism and strives for rights and justice for all citizens, regardless of religion or belief.
Fourth, this Muslim voice has a very important impact on national and international interests. The importance of listening to the voice of Indonesian Muslims in welcoming Pope Francis also has a significant impact on Indonesia's national and international interests, namely improving Indonesia's image as a country that promotes interfaith harmony; strengthening bilateral relations with the Vatican and the international Catholic community; and also making a positive contribution to global peace and stability.
Collaboration of Four Institutions
After the meeting on the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University of Jakarta’s campus at Ciputat, this idea was then supported by the Harapan Pemuda Indonesia Foundation (Indonesian Youth-Hope Foundation) an Indonesian foundation which has focused on the development of young people. This idea was further developed and discussed with the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia and the Frans Seda Foundation around mid-June 2024. Why were these two institutions involved?
It should be noted that Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia is the only Catholic university in the capital city of Jakarta. It was founded by a group of Catholic lay scholars on June 1, 1960, two years before the Second Vatican Council took place. It is believed to be the first Catholic university in the world to be founded by lay people. The university also hosted a meeting between Pope St. John Paul II and Catholic university leaders, lecturers and students during his visit in October 1989.
So what about the Frans Seda Foundation? Frans Seda Foundation is a foundation founded on the inspiration of the late Franciscus Xaverius Seda, better known as Frans Seda.
Frans Seda was a Catholic layman who during his lifetime became a statesman through his dedication in the fields of government, politics, and diplomacy, in addition to his active involvement in education, including establishing the Indonesian Catholic University Atma Jaya, social affairs, and the realm of the Church. During his lifetime, he also welcomed Pope St. Paul VI when he visited Indonesia in December 1970, then became Chairman of the Committee for the Visit of Pope John Paul II in October 1989. He was also a member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.
After the collaboration between the four institutions was agreed upon, a small team was formed to prepare the book. I myself was then appointed as the chairman of the team to compile this book as well as its Managing Editor/Editor in Chief.
Various Representations of Indonesian Islam
Given the time constraints, we immediately contacted Islamic figures who were considered to represent the voice of Indonesian Muslims. It should be noted that Muslims in Indonesia are also quite diverse. The majority of Muslims are Sunni Muslims. However, there are also other groups, such as Shia and Ahmadiyya. The Ahmadiyya group also comes from Ahmadiyya Lahore and there is also Ahmadiyya Qadiyan. We tried to contact their leaders.
On the other hand, Indonesian Islamic organizations are also diverse. We contacted the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board, which is the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia and perharps even in the world. In addition, we also contacted other Islamic organizations such as Muhammadiyah, which has educational, health and social works in various parts of Indonesia, and the Syarikat Islam (Islamic Association/Union). We also got the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Indonesia's state mosque, which is also the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, to write for us.
We also sought the involvement of Islamic academics from Islamic universities. We invited several rectors of Islamic universities in Indonesia, such as: Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta, Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, Yogyakarta, and International Islamic University of Indonesia to write. In addition, we also involved Islamic women leaders, young Islamic leaders, including writings from generation Z, and also representations of Muslim voices from outside Jakarta, especially in predominantly Christian areas.
Racing Against Time
Thankfully, in such a short time we were able to collect 33 writings from Islamic leaders across organizations, sects, generations, and genders. Interestingly, the number 33 has a deep meaning in both Islam and Catholicism. In Islam, 33 is the number of beads used for dhikr. Meanwhile, we know that 33 is the age of Jesus when he died on the cross.
After receiving confirmation of publishing support from Kompas Book Publishers, a publisher in one of Indonesia's largest media networks that was founded by Catholic leaders, we submitted all the writings in bilingual format that had been edited in mid-August 2024. Then, the editing process began with the publisher and then continued to be printed.
In a very short time, the book was finally finished. In addition to including the 33 writings of these Islamic figures, this book also includes 2 writings by representatives from the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia as an epilogue. We are also grateful that the Chairman of the Presidium of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, Mgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC was pleased to give a speech in the book in a very short time.
photo from Instagram.com/@husein_hadar
About the Title “SALVE PEREGRINANS SPEI!”
This anthology of writings by Indonesian Muslim leaders in welcoming the arrival of Pope Francis is entitled “SALVE PEREGRINANS SPEI! Greetings to the Pilgrim of Hope - Indonesian Muslim Leaders and the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis”. Why this title?
The proposed title of the book “SALVE, PEREGRINANS SPEI!” contains a deep meaning that is to be conveyed. The first word, “Salve”, which comes from Latin and also means “Greeting”, has significance in the history and tradition of the book. “Greeting” has significance in the history and tradition of both religions. It is not just merely a greeting, but also carries a message of goodness and blessings.
Meanwhile, the phrase “Peregrinans Spei” or “Pilgrims of Hope” was chosen with careful consideration of several important factors. First, the arrival of a Pope to Indonesia is likened to the arrival of a pilgrim who stops by on his spiritual journey, strengthening the spiritual meaning of the Pope's journey in the midst of the people. Secondly, the use of the term “Pilgrim Pope” that was once attached to Pope St. John Paul II, whose visit to Indonesia in October 1989 has left a historic mark, reminding us of the important role of religious leaders in bringing peace and unity. Thirdly, the theme of the Jubilee Year 2025 to be celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church provides further context for the choice of this phrase, representing the spirit of spiritual revival expected by the people.
On the other hand, the word “Hope” in the phrase “Pilgrims of Hope” in the title of the book also contains a deep meaning that Pope Francis wants to convey. Through his visit to Indonesia and witnessing the diversity that is alive and well under the spirit of Pancasila, the five basic principles of Indonesia’s state ideology, it is hoped that the Pope will never tire of being a bridge of peace and harmony between nations and religions, a call to bring hope and brotherhood in the midst of increasingly complex world turmoil.
The significance of this book
In this book, I see 33 Indonesian Islamic figures giving critical, constructive and positive views on the person, vision, mission and work of Pope Francis. The essence of this book is basically a message of peace and true brotherhood to the Indonesian people and the whole world from Indonesian Islamic leaders that is expected to inspire millions of people around the world.
Written by Indonesian Islamic figures, this article on Pope Francis has the opportunity to introduce Pope Francis from a different perspective while fostering tolerance for the sake of religious harmony, especially in Indonesia. In addition, given the monumental and historical aspect of this book in the context of Pope Francis' visit, it is certainly hoped that this book can further complement and bridge the long history of dialog between Muslims and Catholics in Indonesia and around the world.
I am very grateful that as a young Indonesian Catholic, I have the opportunity to take part in welcoming Pope Francis through my contribution to the preparation of this book, even as the Managing Editor in the process of preparation, and the main Editor in the book. I sincerely hope that through my humble contribution I can have a positive impact on the freshness and fertility of dialogue, critical thinking, and interfaith encounters for the sake of the growing spirit of peace and true brotherhood among religious communities in Indonesia and around the world.
*Willem L. Turpijn is the Editor of the book “SALVE PEREGRINANS SPEI!”, Secretary of Frans Seda Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Youth Commission of the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Co-Founder of “Peziarah Katolik” (Catholic Pilgrims), Active in various youth mentoring and interfaith encounters in Indonesia.
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