Jakarta, IO – The waiting for the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) congregation at the West Bogor, better known as GKI Yasmin, for 15 years is finally over.
The Bogor City administration finally inaugurated the church, represented by Bogor Mayor Bima Arya, Sunday (9/3). Not only making it official, Bima even apologized specifically to the congregants because they had to wait for over a decade to get certainty, reported IDN Times, Monday (10 /4).
Bima Arya said GKI Yasmin is the realization of the dreams of the congregation who wanted their own place of worship. He called the church a symbol of interfaith tolerance.
“The lesson is that diversity and tolerance cannot grow with rhetoric and narration alone. Tolerance and diversity can only be realized with a big heart and courage,” he said.
Bima Arya revealed that GKI Yasmin also could not stand firm without the courage of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) who dared to stand at the forefront in its defense. Bima said the state must be present to guarantee the rights of all citizens without discrimination.
According to Bima, GKI Yasmin is special because it is not only a place of worship, but also as a reminder that harmony can only be created when the communities can accept and understand differences.
Read: Singkawang named most tolerant city by SETARA Institute
GKI Synod leader Pastor Suhud Setyo Wardono said GKI Yasmin has gone through a long journey. He promised to maintain and care for religious tolerance with the surrounding community. He regarded the inauguration as a sweet Easter gift.
“We are grateful to the regional leaders in Bogor and all those who supported the construction of GKI Yasmin. This is a step forward, a manifestation of a tolerant City of Bogor and has served a reference for other regions in maintaining tolerance,” concluded Pastor Suhud. (un)