The third day of AMOR began with a visit to Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran, a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Yogyakarta. After a 30-minute journey, the group arrived at the pesantren, where they were warmly welcomed by the students, both male and female. The students were lined up neatly, offering greetings to each participant as they disembarked from their vehicles. In a spirit of fraternity, the participants entered the meeting room, where they were greeted by the sound of Hadroh, a beautiful Islamic art form consisting of devotional songs praising the Prophet Muhammad. The atmosphere was filled with smiles and wonder, as the AMOR participants, despite not knowing each other, immediately took photos together in this first encounter. This moment marked a beautiful and unifying start to the day's activities, fostering a sense of shared joy and connection among the diverse group.
After her speech, a brief presentation about Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran was given. This pesantren emphasizes moderation in religion and operates across 18 branches, with a total of approximately 7,000 students. The presentation highlighted the pesantren's commitment to promoting a balanced approach to religious practice, fostering understanding and peaceful coexistence.
The presentation highlighted that Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran has become a key reference point for interfaith dialogue, welcoming figures from various religious backgrounds. One notable visitor was Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso, who visited the pesantren in 2023. This pesantren is recognized as an inclusive institution, open to people of all faiths. It teaches religion as a path of love and peace, rather than conflict, and actively encourages anyone who wishes to visit to come and learn from their approach to fostering harmony. The pesantren's commitment to inclusivity and interfaith understanding makes it a model for peaceful coexistence among different religions.
After listening to several presentations, the participants were given the opportunity to respond with comments and questions. This process was very lively, with many sisters eager to ask questions and share their thoughts. One sister, Sr. Lusiana Raratini DOLC, expressed her deep emotions and was visibly moved by the warm reception and enthusiasm from the Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran. Her heartfelt response reflected the powerful impact of the pesantren's inclusive and welcoming approach to fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding. The sharing session further deepened the participants' appreciation for the pesantren's role in promoting peace and mutual respect among different religious communities.
After the lively and engaging Q&A session, the participants were treated to a beautiful performance by the santriwati (female students) of Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran. Accompanied by the sound of Hadroh, the Saman dance was performed with great grace and allure. Following the dance performance, the participants were served an exceptional lunch, which brought visible joy as they enjoyed the delicious food and drinks. Even while waiting in line to get their meal, the participants took the opportunity to take photos with the santriwati. After satisfying their hunger and taking a brief rest, the participants were invited to tour the pesantren complex. Both the AMOR participants and the santri were excited to meet and interact with one another. The AMOR participants were deeply touched and impressed by the places they visited within the complex, including the tomb, the library, and the male dormitory. The visit allowed for a meaningful exchange and left everyone in awe of the pesantren's environment and commitment to education and spiritual growth.
An equally engaging activity was organized for the AMOR participants, where they were invited to try activities traditionally done by the santri (students) of Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran. These included calligraphy painting, performing the Saman dance, and playing the Hadroh musical instruments. The sisters and AMOR participants were visibly joyful and blended in well with the santri, sharing in these activities with enthusiasm. In the sharing session that followed the tour, Sr. Caroline Naibaho KYM and Sr. Cecilia Espenilla OP shared their delightful experiences. Sr. Cecilia expressed how the calligraphy piece she created with the santri felt like a "diploma certificate" to her, highlighting the pride and joy she felt in this creative and cultural exchange. This moment showcased the deep connection formed through shared activities, and it reflected the spirit of cooperation and mutual appreciation between the participants and the santri.
Suster Mary T Barron OLA, presiden UISG juga menyampaikan testimoni dari kunjungan hari ini. Dalam testimoninya, Suster Mary mengatakan bahwa kunjungan ke pesantren ini menjadi pengalaman yang memenuhi mimpi-mimpi dari para peserta AMOR. Kunjungan ini membuat para peserta AMOR dapat mengalami pengalaman yang selama ini sangat jarang di dalam hidup : belajar memakai hijab, bermain alat musik, menari, dll. Perjumpaan semacam ini menunjukkan dialog dan encounter yang semakin kuat. Suster Mary Barron dan Suster Elisabeth memberikan sedikit kenang-kenangan bagi Pondok Pesantren Pandanaran. Ketika memberikan kenang-kenangan tersebut, para suster peserta AMOR menyanyikan lagu Rejoice sebagai ungkapan syukur dan kegembiraan yang bisa mereka berikan bagi pesantren Pandanaran.
At the conclusion of the entire series of events, Father Heri Setyawan SJ, the facilitator for the visit, encouraged the participants to initiate similar encounters in their own locations. The visit to Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran was described as an introductory visit— a "starting point" for what would become a series of enriching experiences. The visit marked the beginning of a journey in fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration between different religious communities, and Romo Heri emphasized the importance of carrying this spirit forward into future engagements. The session concluded on a hopeful note, inspiring the participants to continue their efforts toward interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
After experiencing such an extraordinary and meaningful journey, the AMOR participants had to say their goodbyes to the santriwati at Pondok Pesantren Sunan Pandanaran. The participants warmly shook hands with the santri, who were lined up to bid farewell to them. The santriwati were visibly delighted, even asking some of the sisters for autographs. It was a beautiful sight that reflected joy and peace. As the participants boarded the bus, the santriwati waved goodbye, sending them off with warm farewells. The entire experience left a lasting impact, full of memories that would be difficult to forget. This encounter truly became a celebration of diversity, unity, and love for one another, emphasizing the meaningful bonds that were formed through this shared moment of cultural exchange and mutual respect.
