Jokowi Inaugurates the State Mosque Construction in IKN Nusantara
- Istimewa
Kalimantan – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Wednesday laid the first stone or groundbreaking of the State Mosque in the IKN Nusantara area, Penajam Paser North, East Kalimantan.
The Head of State said that the mosque, which was designed to have a capacity of 61 thousand worshipers, is a representation of Indonesian diversity.
"I hope that this State Mosque will represent the diversity of Indonesia and a means to increase faith and devotion to Allah," President Jokowi said during the inauguration.
He said that this is a comfortable place for Muslims to carry out various religious activities, other social activities, and become a symbol to strengthen religious tolerance and moderation in the capital city "Our archipelago".
President Jokowi remarked that not only mosque, but also several other places of worship will also be built in the IKN Nusantara area, such as Cathedral churches, monasteries, and temples.
"This will show how diverse we are, but we will continue to maintain harmony to build unity in our country," the President added.
The Head of State said that the State Mosque, which was built with a construction cost of IDR 940 billion, is targeted for completion by the end of 2024. This worship facility will be equipped with regional infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.
"Around this mosque, as depicted on the screen, it will be surrounded by water, because an artificial reservoir will be created," he said.
"So, I imagine this mosque is a mosque that will be very beautiful from the outside and the interior will also be very beautiful from the inside,"
The President also hopes that the State Mosque can become an example for the development of state mosques in the world.
"I want the mosque that will be built to be an example of national mosques in the world and display the uniqueness of Indonesia, the uniqueness of the capital of the archipelago," the President concluded.
As information, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR)/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN ) Hadi Tjahjanto, Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Member of the Presidential Advisory Council (Wantimpres) Gandi Sulistiyanto, TNI Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Head of the IKN Authority Bambang Susantono, Acting. East Kalimantan Governor Akmal Malik, Acting. North Penajam Paser Regent Makmur Marbun, and IKN Development Curator Ridwan Kamil also accompany the President during the Groundbreaking.