Indonesians demonstrate religious tolerance on Christmas

Since Christmas Eve on Thursday (Dec. 23) night, Indonesian Christians have performed services and various religious rituals solemnly and peacefully in the worlds largest Muslim populated country, which holds religious tolerance in the highest esteem.

For instance, since Christmas Eve, Jakartas Cathedral Church, which is located adjacent to Indonesias largest Istiqlal Mosque, has been thronged by masses of pilgrims.

Thousands of churchgoers continued to flock the Cathedral since Friday morning, while on the other side, Muslims also congregated at the Istiqlal Mosque to offer Friday prayers. 

Both Christians and Muslims performed religious rituals solemnly in their respective houses of worship. The management of Istiqlal mosque even allowed the participants of the Christmas mass service at the close by Jakarta Cathedral to access its parking lots.

Erik Muliawan, the spokesman of the churchs Christmas celebration committee, stated on Thursday that this demonstrated a form of tolerance developed between the church and mosque so far.

To ensure that the services at the Cathedral are held smoothly, the Christmas committee has provided 3,900 seats to serve about 10 thousand to 15 thousand pilgrims expected to visit the church. In line with the theme "Living Together with Allahs Family," the committee has decorated the church with one thousand trees planted in small pots in harmony with the essence of life.

The Jakarta Cathedral held three services at 5 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 10 p.m. local time on Christmas Eve and five services on Christmas Day. Erik had remarked that the first service on Christmas Eve would be led by Archbishop of Jakarta Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo.

Some 400 police officers would help to secure the Christmas celebrations.

Archbishop Suharyo thanked the law enforcers and government officials for their efforts to provide guards, so that the 2015 Christmas celebrations could be organized smoothly and solemnly. 

"Allow me to express gratitude to all government officials, the president, vice president, the National Police chief, the commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces, commanders of the regional military, the regional police chiefs and their ranks and file for their efforts to provide guards, so that the church services ran peacefully," the Archbishop informed the press after holding the pontifical church service on Friday.

He said Christmas celebrations would not be complete without imbibing the message of "Living Together with the Family of Allah."

According to Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian, the mass services being held peacefully demonstrated religious tolerance. He pointed out that harmony and religious tolerance have continued to improve in Jakarta. 

Religious tolerance is reflected in the church services by Christians and the Friday prayers by Muslims, respectively held in locations adjacent to each other. 

"This shows improving religious tolerance," Karnavian noted on Friday. 

After all, Muslims across the country also celebrated the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on Thursday. 

Tito stated that the events to mark Prophet Muhammads birthday and the Christmas celebrations were held peacefully and smoothly in Jakarta. He credited this success to the sound coordination between the National Police (Polri), the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the regional government of Jakarta, and the people.

He remarked that as the Christians were still performing their services, hence the joint forces were stationed to maintain security at the churches, shopping centers, and recreational sites, such as the Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII), Regunan Zoo, and Jaya Ancol Dream Land beach.

Suharyo had also earlier suggested that religious tolerance existing in Indonesia should be replicated in Europe. He put forth the suggestion after meeting President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)

Earlier on Tuesday, President Jokowi met Christian leaders from the Communion of Indonesian (Protestant) Churches (PGI) and the Indonesian Catholics Bishop Conference (KWI) at the State Palace.

"We spoke with the PGI and the KWI about Christmas messages," KWI Presidium Chairman Ignatius Suharyo noted at a press conference after a meeting with President Jokowi.

The KWI presidium chairman represented the Catholic churches to request President Jokowi to call at the Vatican, which is the center of Catholic churches, if he visited Europe. 

"This is because we want to showcase Indonesias unique traits to the world, one of them being its peaceful and harmonious co-existence," he pointed out.

Suharyo noted that Europe is currently facing an influx of migrants from various ethnic and religious backgrounds.

"It appears as though they were surprised and not yet ready to live in this way. Hence, the Italian president visited our beloved country, Indonesia, to study how we live together peacefully," the KWI leader stated.

He said if President Jokowi visited Vatican, it would have a positive impact, and Indonesia would be recognized globally as the worlds largest and predominantly Muslim populated country, which has a tolerant outlook.

"We are open, tolerant, and modern Muslims with special character and respect for solidarity. I hope that the president will showcase Indonesia as a country with these unique traits to the highest Catholic leader," he added

Source: ANTARA