A Protestant, a Catholic, and a Jew walk into a mosque...

Wondering where this man is while wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a backwards 'USA' cap? Your last guess would probably be that he is praying in the third largest mosque in the world.

Yes, Indonesia is the home of the third largest mosque in the world; the only two bigger ones are in Mecca and Medina. With 85% of their 270 million population being Muslim, this mosque in the center of Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta is almost always packed. Beautifully constructed under Soeharto finished in 1978, this mosque is wide open without solid outer walls. It's simplicity and openness is inviting and hosts not only prayer and worship services but also a center for culture and community. We were allowed to come in freely and visit with the only requirements of taking off our shoes.

the area is separated by gender from left to right



Not only were we welcome to wonder and visit during a service, there were plenty of people casually dressed even some women. Although the majority were wearing the white garments you see in the photos. Perhaps even more striking, the national cathedral was literally right across the street with its towering steeples easily seen from the mosque.

The national Catholic cathedral is a beautifully building also with very simple architecture. The inside is entirely ornate wood. Equally as inviting, as we were able to walk right in to take pictures even though it was in the middle of a wedding ceremony! Wedding Crashers 2: Indonesia. No one seemed to mind either. 

Since a Protestant, a Catholic, and a Jew can ignorantly walk into a mosque, Indonesia's religious tolerance is no joke. The national cathedral right across the street from the national mosque and are both thriving with activity. So when you hear of the 17 churches that got attacked in Indonesia last year remember that is 17 out of 50,000 and that those 17 attacks are largely economically motivated not necessarily religious antagonism. Also, remember the man in the USA hat... Death to America?! ... not so much.

oh and the mosque was designed by a Christian architect