The Largest Mosque in Southeast Asia:
Dr. Al-Issa Delivers the Friday Sermon and Leads the Prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in the Indonesian Capital, Jakarta
Jakarta:
H.E. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, delivered the Friday sermon today and led the prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, which is considered the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.
In his sermon, H.E. spoke about the noble values and steadfast principles of Islam brought forth by our blessed religion—values that have been the foundation of stability and prosperity for societies throughout a rich history. The sermon called for embodying the lofty Islamic model of noble character, fostering harmony among hearts, and showing kindness to all people, following the guidance of this religion with which God sent our noble Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—to perfect noble morals and be a mercy to all of creation.
H.E. also addressed the wise approaches to confronting campaigns of hatred against Islam—“Islamophobia”—and the incitement they contain against Muslims, as part of an escalating pattern of exclusion and discrimination that has reached a deeply troubling level. This prompted the United Nations to issue a resolution adopting an “International Day to Combat Islamophobia.”
The sermon further examined the matter of differing jurisprudential views and national measures particular to each Muslim country, describing such diversity as a source of richness and enrichment for the Muslim Ummah. He clarified that this differs from major collective issues that require unity in the Islamic stance.
H.E. concluded his sermon by referencing the historic initiative launched by the Muslim World League to strengthen fraternity and cooperation within the Ummah, represented by the “Charter of Building Bridges between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects” issued in Makkah—the unifying qiblah, the cradle of Islam, and the destination of Muslim hearts—with broad participation from representatives of Islamic schools and sects around the world. He affirmed that it has constituted a milestone in the course of joint Islamic action and a roadmap outlining guiding principles for building bridges of fraternity and cooperation, thereby enhancing the good of the Ummah in facing emerging developments and challenges. This initiative is grounded, in its vision, mission, and objectives, in the guidance of the Noble Qur’an and the purified Sunnah to unify word and deed.
