Like A Prayer... Indonesia: Jakarta's Multi-Faith Situation!

Was Jakarta trying to convert me? No, I was just going to see a lot of religious choices from different perspectives. There was a cathedral from the Catholic faith, an Islamic mosque and even a Buddhist vihara, it was a lot! From a religious point of view, Jakarta was doing the most! It was great that people from all communities had the opportunity to practice their faiths. Quite!

How can a cathedral be ground-breaking? 'Jakarta Cathedral/Gereja Katedral Jakarta' stands as something of a protest and legacy both against adversity with tolerance at its core. Roman Catholic by faith, this cathedral was illegal under the Dutch rule by the 'Dutch East Indies Company' because they favoured Protestantism. A French Revolutionary War changed what? After my trip to Jakarta, I find myself learning much more than what I did during my visiting to that house of God. A certain war and change of power allowed this Catholic house of God to be constructed in 1891 and opened in 1901. I'm sure the Dutch colonists were gagged! Silenced by another European force, another forbidden religious practice could be unlocked. Going by another name, Jakarta's centrally located cathedral alternatively goes by 'The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption'. I'll stick to 'Jakarta Cathedral'. Did I meet any shade at this God-fearing location? I was shocked that one of the volunteers was flat out rude. Miss J, clock that! 

I had not long finished some breakfast noodles, I was heading to my first 'Like A Prayer' venue of the day, the mosque that was! The tour I needed to be on was delayed due to their lunch time period, I had to let it be. Crossing the road within Jakarta's Gambir District unlocked that Neo-gothic style cathedral. All seemed well, I was able to take a photo from one side towards the front of the crossing. I wanted to enter a separate door that would allow me a clearer view of the interior from the back. Was I permitted first time? I absolutely wasn't and the behaviour displayed by that volunteer was not Christ-like whatsoever! I protected my peace and remembered my location, as a non-believer I was not about to show myself up! Fearing not, I got my hushed photo from the back of the cathedral after entering an unmarked door once I retraced my steps towards the road facing the mosque. That lady needed Jesus, I just needed my photo and a little break to collect my thoughts. Time had moved on, I proceeded to the mosque. 

Patience was the key, I was feeling less heated after centring my emotions after the church volunteer had done the most! I kept to the time of the 'Istiqlal Mosque' non-Muslim visit, I had been honest about backing out previously because I am not a Muslim and didn't want to encroach on someone's religious space. Following the crowd, I had already made sure my dress code was 'Halal' with appropriate clothing worn. The mosque volunteers were impressed with my style, they were shocked that I wasn't muslim. The largest mosque in Southeast Asia? Yes, I felt the weight of that place of worship as I climbed the steps to the viewing platform. It wasn't called a 'viewing platform' as such but I snapped an unstoppable photo of the 'musalla'. The 'musalla' was vast and open, golden and silver shimmers reflected from the pillars. The mosque was massive, the lights shone bright, I was impressed and moved because it was spectacular! JK, I had not travelled to such a staunchly religious Muslim country to miss out on such a mosque! 

Whilst I could be trusted roaming around this house of god, it was apparent that some people in group found it challenging to be respectful. With each step taken I learned more and more about this grand mosque, built in 1978 this Islamic place of worship shares the Arabic name for 'Independence'. Crafted for a purpose, I noticed the inner exterior area of the mosque had been fashioned carefully, an intricate style had been applied. The minaret impressed me much, that inner courtyard within the mosque grounds felt very peaceful, I wanted to ditch the whole tour and take a few moments. Capacity wasn't an issue at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque because 61,000 people could be accommodated within the musalla and on the balconies. I was very satisfied with my visit to the largest mosque in the whole of Southeast Asia, nothing would or could change that! Jakarta's 'Ciliwung River' wasn't far, following me at all times, it passed by the mosque! I had clocked Catholicism and Islam, I wanted to see something from another religion! 

Faith drives us to do something extraordinary, for me my faith lives within travel and seeking places that might not be kosher. Jakarta was showing me something raw, there was no filter, the final section of this 'Like A Prayer' post took some guts! Now, I am no war-flower but this vihara took me through a sketchy corner of Chinatown in Jakarta's Glodok Urban Village. Did Apple Maps really have my back? In the respect, I was able to get in and out of that area with some clarity, we will remain even in the stakes of safety. Known as the oldest Chinese temple in Jakarta, Vihara Dharma Bakti was built in 1650. I needed a third element for this blog, Instagram hooked me up with a third religion. Time was against me, I weaved in and out of those alley ways with market stalls operating under dim lights, it was getting real! I felt a sense of relief when I saw the yellow, red and black temple entrance, staying firm, I was no charity. Experiences are meant to come to us, I didn't get why Instagram glossed over the area! Why, J?

The vihara was like another world, it was a pocket of calm within that manic area. I loved the calm of this temple with the rich red tones, it was something of an oasis of peace within that Glodok environment. I spent some time gazing at the glowing red lanterns, they were just lovely. For me, the temple had me feeling a different experience because of those colours. Jakarta kept it together, the temple was almost going to close, it was almost like I had made the visit possible by faith being on my side. Sending my blessings to this temple/vihara was easy. Time was limited at this vihara because dusk was falling and I knew that being a tourist off the main road wouldn't bring me any blessings, I was being real about that! The cathedral had historical facts, whilst the mosque shimmered bright but the vihara served vibes! My 'multi-faith' situation in Jakarta served three religious with spaces to match, promoting the same message to their followers. Where will I find blessings next? A new continent beckons? Africa or what? Bless up! 

A Third Strike? Yes! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure