Jakarta (ANTARA) – Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden praised Indonesia’s interfaith harmony, which she experienced while visiting the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral on Friday, according to Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar.
“The Crown Princess was amazed that there is such a country where its largest mosque stands face-to-face with a beautiful cathedral. This is the symbol of Indonesia,” Umar said after accompanying Victoria during her visit.
The minister said the Crown Princess, visiting Indonesia as a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador, was warmly welcomed by congregants at Istiqlal Mosque and along her path to Jakarta Cathedral.
Crown Princess Victoria experienced the sound of the bedug, the large drum used to mark Islamic prayer times, resonating alongside the bells of Jakarta Cathedral while walking through the Silaturahim Tunnel connecting the two worship sites.
“The sound of the bedug came from the mosque, while the ringing of bells could be heard from the cathedral. The two sounds met in the middle of the tunnel. There is no other place like this,” Umar said.
Umar, who serves as the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, added that Victoria received a guided overview of the mosque’s facilities during her visit.
Archbishop of Jakarta Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo stated that the Crown Princess was fascinated by the Indonesian artistic characteristics woven into the cathedral, reflecting a fusion of Catholic faith and local culture.
He noted that Victoria viewed a statue of the Virgin Mary embodying Indonesian inculturation, featuring the Indonesian archipelago as her crown and batik patterns adorning her garments.
“I believe the Crown Princess has never seen a statue of the Virgin Mary of this kind, inculturated with Indonesian culture,” Cardinal Suharyo said.
Crown Princess Victoria arrived in Indonesia on Friday for a four-day official visit to Jakarta and Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
During her visit, the Crown Princess will observe progress in Indonesia’s medical science, healthcare digitalization, blue economy ecosystem, customary forest preservation, and local community development.
Related news: Sweden’s Crown Princess praises Indonesia’s religious tolerance
Related news: Indonesia showcases genomic advances to Sweden’s Crown Princess
Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2026