Menafsir Ulang Semangat Toleransi QS Al-Kafirun melalui Fenomena Persandingan Masjid Istiqlal dan Gereja Katedral Jakarta

Abstract

The physical proximity between the Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral has often been interpreted merely as a symbol of tolerance, without any in-depth exploration of its theological roots; yet this phenomenon offers rich scope for interpretation, particularly in reinterpreting the spirit of Surah Al-Kafirun, which has often been understood in a rigid and exclusive manner. This study aims to reinterpret the meaning of tolerance in Surah Al-Kafirun through an analysis of the juxtaposition of these two places of worship, using a descriptive qualitative approach that combines the maudhu’i exegetical method and the ‘Living Qur’an’ approach, supported by a literature review of classical to contemporary exegetical works, as well as field data in the form of journalistic reports and historical documents regarding the construction of both buildings. The findings indicate that the rejection expressed in the verse ‘lakum dinukum wa li-ya din’ (to you your religion, and to me mine) pertains purely to the realm of creed and ritual worship, whilst the space for social interaction remains wide open, as reflected in the daily practices of residents who share a car park between the places of worship, the presence of the ‘Tunnel of Friendship’, and the involvement of a non-Muslim architect in the design of the Istiqlal Mosque. This study concludes that tolerance in the Qur’an is not a normative concept confined to the page, but rather a message that demands tangible realisation within a diverse national social sphere.