Makassar Mayor and Religious Affairs Minister Launch Indonesia's First Moderation Gate

Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin accompanied Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister KH Nasaruddin Umar in launching the ‘Gerbang Moderasi Indonesia’ (Indonesian Moderation Gate) in the Bumi Tamalanrea Permai (BTP) area, Biringkanaya District, Makassar. The mayor expressed his appreciation for Makassar being chosen as the first location for the construction of the Indonesian Moderation Gate. He stated that the gate’s presence aligns with the Makassar City Government’s commitment to strengthening the values of diversity and tolerance within society. The mayor revealed to the minister that Makassar’s tolerance index has shown significant improvement, rising from 49th place to now being among the top nine most tolerant cities in Indonesia. He attributed this achievement to the collective work of all parties, including the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), which continuously builds communication and engagement within the community. The construction of the Indonesian Moderation Gate serves as a symbol of strengthening tolerance and interfaith harmony within a residential environment, starting in Makassar. A groundbreaking ceremony was also attended by the Rector of UIN Alauddin Makassar, Hamdan Juhannis, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for South Sulawesi Province, Ali Yafid, and the Head of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office for Makassar City, Muhammad. Munafri emphasised that this achievement is an important asset, considering Makassar is the gateway to Eastern Indonesia with very high levels of economic, social, and cultural mobility. He noted that the BTP area is a real example of a multi-ethnic and multi-faith community life, where places of worship for various religions stand side by side harmoniously. As a form of commitment, the Makassar City Government will initiate the construction of Indonesian Moderation Gates at several other points so that the spirit of tolerance can grow from the neighbourhood level upwards. The mayor also assured that the government will immediately improve road access to the gate’s construction site, stating that the Public Works Department has already conducted a survey and that the city’s road stability rate is currently above 97 percent. Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar stressed that the construction of the Indonesian Moderation Gate is not merely about creating a physical monument, but a symbol that brings the value of unity to life in the daily lives of citizens. He explained that the choice of a residential area for the location is strategically meaningful because the community will interact directly with the symbol of moderation every day. The minister expressed hope that the Moderation Gate in Makassar will become an icon of unity that inspires other regions, leading to similar monuments being built in various districts and cities as symbols of national unity.