Indonesian Catholic diaspora communities in the Middle East found spiritual solace and renewed fellowship during a courtesy visit in Doha earlier this week, as members from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates came together with their compatriots in Qatar.
The gathering, which took place during the Eid holidays, brought together members of the Komunitas Katolik Indonesia (KKI) from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, many of whom had previously only connected online through the global KKI WhatsApp network.
“This is a heartwarming story of a joyful gathering in Doha, Qatar as we warmly welcomed friends from PUKID UAE and KKI Saudi as part of the Eid holiday celebrations,” said Ika Ristiani, a member of KKI Qatar.
Ristiani shared that the visit included Mrs. Hilde and Mr. Renat with their family from PUKID UAE—Paguyuban Umat Katolik Indonesia di Dubai—as well as Mrs. Ira Hernanto and Mr. Boy Hernanto with their family from KKI Saudi Arabia.
“This visit was a valuable and joyful moment for us at KKI Qatar,” Ristiani said, noting that the meeting in person added depth to the virtual relationships that had long been fostered through digital communication.
The community credited Mrs. Sherly Mandelli of Northern Italy’s KKI in Milan for initiating the network that helped bring the families together.
“Even though we are in a foreign land, the sense of togetherness and family remains strong. Wherever we are, God always provides us with ‘new families’ through fellow believers who welcome us with open arms,” Ristiani said.
For many, the gathering served not only as a social occasion but as an opportunity to deepen spiritual bonds and reaffirm shared values.
“We are truly grateful for this precious time together, sharing experiences, and strengthening our faith despite being separated by geographical distances. Through this meeting, we came to understand even more that, even far from home, God’s love always brings us together with fellow believers wherever we are,” she added.
The gathering also held special meaning for the children of diaspora families, who are growing up far from Indonesia.
“They learned that having a community and like-minded friends is a priceless blessing,” Ristiani noted. “Even though they are far from their homeland, having fellow believers who can support and share with each other is an invaluable gift. This is an important life lesson: in faith in Christ, we are never alone.”
Ristiani expressed hope that such moments of fellowship would inspire the global KKI community to continue nurturing relationships that transcend cultural and geographical divides.
“We hope this visit is not just a beautiful memory but also an inspiration for all of us to continue maintaining and developing the bonds of brotherhood in Christ that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. May God bless every step of our journey.”
