Interfaith Residents Discuss Tolerance in Jakarta: No More Divides

JAKARTA - A number of interfaith residents assess that the level of tolerance in Jakarta is already quite good. They expressed this while attending an interfaith event held by the Cathedral Church as part of the celebration of the 219th anniversary of the Jakarta Archdiocese (KAJ) on Saturday (9/5/2026). They admitted to participating in the event to further strengthen tolerance in Jakarta and make it even better. Meanwhile, according to one Ustadz from Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, Saifuddin (61), who also took part in the event, agreed that there are no more barriers between religious communities. “For Jakarta, it’s already very, very good compared to other regions. I think in Jakarta, there is no longer any gap (barrier) between one religion and another. Between Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, there isn’t any,” he said at the location on Saturday. This is because Saifuddin wants to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood with followers of other religions. Another Catholic attendee, Philip (65), also assessed that the level of tolerance in Jakarta is already much better, although not yet 100 percent. However, according to him, there are still certain groups that often dislike it when interfaith communities unite to uphold tolerance. In fact, Philip said, tolerance is the foundation for making the Indonesian nation stronger.