Obama, first lady visit Indonesia's largest mosque

JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Barack Obama has paid a visit to Indonesia's largest mosque, one of the largest of its kind in southeast Asia.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, walked in stockinged feet along a carpet laid across the sprawling courtyard of the Istiqlal Mosque. Along the way, the mosque's imam explained that a Christian church visible in the distance uses the mosque's parking lot during Christmas celebrations because it doesn't have enough parking.

A smiling Obama then relayed that story to reporters. He called it an example of cooperation between the different religions in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country.

Obama visited the mosque Wednesday before a scheduled speech to the Indonesian people.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — President Barack Obama has paid a visit to Indonesia's largest mosque, one of the largest of its kind in southeast Asia.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, walked in stockinged feet along a carpet laid across the sprawling courtyard of the Istiqlal Mosque. Along the way, the mosque's imam explained that a Christian church visible in the distance uses the mosque's parking lot during Christmas celebrations because it doesn't have enough parking.

A smiling Obama then relayed that story to reporters. He called it an example of cooperation between the different religions in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country.

Obama visited the mosque Wednesday before a scheduled speech to the Indonesian people.