Asian Angle | Indonesian mosque’s hosting of Buddhist monks sparks debate on religious tolerance
- Although the monks did not occupy the mosque’s main prayer hall, the incident was criticised by an influential Muslim cleric
A seeming act of tolerance by a mosque in Central Java did not turn out as planned.
In May, 44 monks from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore were making their way on foot from Pudak Payung village, Semarang to the famous Borobudur.
The monks’ 78km (48-mile) journey was an annual Vesak Day ritual. Pilgrims would normally make several stops, for meals and rest. A Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)-affiliated mosque in Bengkal village, Temanggung regency, Central Java, agreed to host them.
While this gesture showed interfaith tolerance, it drew flak from prominent Indonesian religious scholars and netizens. This episode proves that interfaith relations remain fragile in Indonesia.
The monks arrived at the mosque and occupied its veranda, a space outside the main prayer hall. They rested, ate, and prayed in a Buddhist-style ritual but avoided the main hall. The Muslim hosts were conscious not to offend, so they segregated these guests but left open the doors to the main hall. The mosque is a popular resting place because it is well-connected and has a huge car park.
This noble gesture did not sit well with Cholil Nafis, a prominent member of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI).
