ABOUT CIBUBUR – Pastor Markus Solo Kewuta SVD, Staff of the Interreligious Dialogue Dicastery of the Holy See of the Vatican, revealed that there are interesting things related to Indonesian Islam and Sabah Islam. The two have many similarities in character. Among other things, friendly, open and polite.
“We were officially welcomed in a friendly manner, there was a dialogue, question and answer session, discussion of various issues, cooperation plans, and closed with lunch courtesy of the Sabah State Mosque Team in Kota Kinabalu,” he said, Wednesday evening, June 17 2026.
Padre Marco – as the only Vatican official from Indonesia is familiarly known – made a friendly visit to the Sabah State Mosque in Kota Kinabalu, on the sidelines of attending the 3rd Summit of World Religious Leaders in Kuala Lumpur which was held in collaboration with the Arab Muslim League based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the government of the kingdom of Malaysia, on Friday, June 12 2026.
Padre Marco said that what made him happiest was the similarity between Malayu-Indonesian, so that at the meeting at the Sabah State Mosque in Kota Kinabalu everyone used Malayu-Indonesian.
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“The initial greeting was a little bit in English but they knew that the guest from the Vatican was Indonesian so they immediately changed it to Malay. It was my turn, I used the initial greeting in Arabic, a little bit of English, and immediately focused all the conversation in Indonesian. They were very enthusiastic and happy because they understood Indonesian well,” he said.
Padre Marco explained that the accent and emphasis of the Malayu/Indonesian language in mainland Malaysia (peninsula) is slightly different from the Malayu/Indonesian language in Borneo. In Borneo the Indonesian language is clearer and there are more similarities or similarities.
“Two countries have very strong cultural and traditional relations. When I was with Muslim brothers and sisters at the Sabah State Mosque, I felt like I was with Muslim brothers and sisters in Indonesia,” he said.
According to Padre Marco, hospitality between friends and brothers in these two countries is often shown through eating together. “And I experienced that at the Sabah State Mosque too. Unexpectedly, my delegation and I were invited to eat together, sitting at a round table, men and women without separation. Everyone shared the same food and drink, greeted each other in a very touching family atmosphere. Eating together in the context of the diversity of religions in the archipelago and the context of Malay culture is a natural dynamic that is stronger than an ordinary meeting,” he said.
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Padre Marco said, eating together is the glue and bond of friendship from a human and cultural perspective that transcends various differences. Different, but still able to stay at the dining table. Love finds its way through food and drink.
From the Sabah State Grand Mosque, Padre Marco also received a gift of a sarong which reminded him of the shared cultural elements of the two countries which provide warmth and a cool and embracing welcome.
“This cultural symbol is very powerful. Summer in Italy requires a sarong. I will try it. Happy greetings from the Vatican to Malaysia while remembering the beautiful moments in Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,” said Padre Marco.
Youth Empowerment
Padre Marco dined at Kinabalu
Meanwhile, Padre Marco said that his presence at the 3rd Summit of World Religious Figures in Kuala Lumpur as an envoy of the Holy See of the Vatican, gave him the opportunity to speak under the theme “Youth Empowerment”.
“In the Final Statement, everyone agreed to involve young people more in the process of developing society and the nation. Young people are well prepared, morally, religiously, as well as in scientific education. They must be given great opportunities to carry out various experiences and at one time take on their own responsibilities,” he explained.
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He added, in self-realization, young people must be supervised from using technological means that undermine and destroy the common order (misuse of AI).
“In the context of Youth Empowerment, education and mentoring of young people is imperative. Every religious figure is made aware of taking concrete steps within their own religious communities,” he said.
Present at this important event were the Sultan of Perak, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Secretary General of the Arab Muslim League. This summit or summit received great support from the PM of Malaysia who provided his country as a venue for this event during his time as PM of Malaysia.
Also present at the meeting were figures from various religions from various countries, including the Chair and Deputy Chair of the MPR, Representatives from the MUI and the Chair of PERMABUDHI Indonesia.
